IPARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS 


iF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA 


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PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS. 


A    SERIES    OF    TWENTY    PAPEES    RELATIXG    TO    THE    BIPROVEMENT 

OF    THE    PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA; 

PRINTED  FOR  THE  USE  OF  THE  SENATE  COMMITTEE 

ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA;  EDITED  AND 

COMPILED  BY  CHARLES  MOORE,  THE 

CLERK  OF  THAT  COMMITTEE. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    PRINTTNG    OFFICE, 

I'M)  3. 


Digitized  by  tine  Internet  Arciiive 

in  2011  witii  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hil 


http://www.archive.org/details/parkimprovementpOOmoor 


TABLE  OF  CO^TEISTTS. 


Page. 
Paper  Xo.  I.  Action  of  the  Washington  Board  of  Trade  in  Relation  to  the 

Park  System  of  the  District  of  Columbia.     By  W.  V.  Cox 5 

II.  Action  Toward  the  Establishment  of  an  Arboretum.  Corre- 
spondence between  JMr.  Albert  I\I.  Read,  member  of  the  com- 
mittee on  parks  and  reservations,  Washington  Board  of  Trade, 
and  Frederick  V.  Coville,  botanist.  Department  of  Agricul- 
ture           23 

III.  The  Need  of  Additional  Playgrounds,  Parks,  and  Reservations, 

Statement  of  Columliia  Heights  Citizens'  Association;  state- 
ment of  Washington  Civic  Center;  statement  of  the  Associated 
Charities  and  the  Citi/^ens'  Relief  Association;  statement  of 
the  North  Capitol  and  Eckington  Citizens'  Association;  state- 
ment of  the  Takoma  Park  Citizens'  Association 31 

IV.  Fort  Stevens,  Wiiere  Lincoln  was  under  Fire.     By  William  V. 

Cox,  chairman  of  the  historical  committee,  Brightwood  Citi- 
zens' Association 47 

Y.  Informal  Hearing  Before  the  Subcommittee  of  the  Committee 
on  the  District  of  Columbia,  United  States  Senate,  Relative  to 
the  Appointment  of  the  Park  Commission 75 

VI.  Notes  on  the  Parks  and  their  Connections.     By  Charles  Moore.         87 

VII.  Notes  on  the  Establishment  of  a  National  Park  in  the  District 
of  Columbia,  and  the  Acquii'ement  and  Improvement  of  the 
Valley  of  Rock  Creek  for  Park  Purposes.  By  William  V. 
Cox [ 107 

VIII.  Men  on  Horseback.  A  paj^er  on  the  equestrian  statuary  in 
Washington,  read  before  the  Columbia  Historical  Society,  by 
Mr.  S.  H.  Kauffmann 151 

IX.  Essay  on  the  City  of  Washington.  Reprinted  from  the  Wash- 
ington Gazette  for  November  19,  23,  26,  and  December  7,  1796.       167 

X.  Informal  Conference  of  the  Park  Improvement  Commission  of 
the  District  of  Columbia,  Held  in  the  Room  of  the  Senate 
Committee  on  the  District  of  Columbia  on  October  21,  1901. 
Remarks  of  Hon.  Henry  B.  F.  Macfarland,  president.  Board 
of  Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columbia;  remarks  of 
Dr.  S.  P.  Langley,  Secretary,  Smithsonian  Institution 1S3 

XL  Extract  from  a    jiajver  (in  the  Commercial  Value  of    Beauty. 

By  Daniel  IL  Burnham 191 

XII.  Centennial  Avenue.     Editorials    reprinted    from  the  Evening 

Star 195 

680091      ///'~^', 


4  PAEK    IMPROVEMENT    PAPERS. 

Page. 
Paper  No.  XIII.  The  Making  of  a  Plan  for  Washington  City.     A  paper  read 
before  the  Columbia  Historical  Society,  by  Glenn  Brown, 
F.  A.  I.  A 211 

XIV.  Abstract  of  Laws  and  Ordinances  Relative  to  the  Washing- 
ton Market  Company 219 

XV.  A  Paper  Relating  to  the  Trees,  Shrubs,  and  Plants  in  the 
United  States  Capitol  Grounds,  and  an  Index  of  the  Same, 
together  with  Some  Observations  ujion  the  Planting  and 
Care  of  Trees  in  the  District  of  Cf)lumbia.  By  Frederick 
Law  Olmsted,  landscape  architect 223 

XVI.  The  Eighteenth  and  Twentieth  Century  Plans  for  Washing- 
ton City.  A  paper  read  before  the  National  Arts  Club, 
New  York,  February  12,  1902,  by  Glenn  Brown,  F.  A.  I.  A.       247 

XVII.  1.  The  Embellishment  of  Washington.  A  paper  read  before 
the  Literary  Society  of  Washington,  May  3,  1902,  by  Clar- 
ence E.  Messer 263 

^  2.  Art  and  the  Toilers.  Abstract  of  a  paper  read  before  the 
convention  of  the  American  Social  Science  Association  at 
Washington,  by  Rev.  Frank  Sewall 268 


SECOND   SERIES. 


Paper  No.  I.  The  Utilization  of  Public  Reservations.  Address  of  Presi- 
dent Eliot,  of  Harvard  University,  before  the  American 
Park  and  Outdoor  Art  Association,  at  Boston,  Mass., 
August  5,  1902 247 

II.  Notes  on  the  Antwerp  Quay  and  on  the  Exhibition  of 
Animals  in  Zoological  Parks,  by  Frederick  Law  Olmsted, 
jr.,  landscape  architect 259 

III.  The  Embellishment  of  Washington,  Ijy  Hon.  Carroll  D. 
Wright,  United  States  Commissioner  of  Labor.  Reprinted 
from  the  New  York  Independent 267 


SENATE   COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS,  NO.  1. 


ACTION  OF  THE  WASHINGTON  BOARD  OF  TRADE  IN 
RELATION  TO  THE  PARK  SYSTEM  OF  THE  DISTRICT 
OF  COLUMBIA. 


March  28,  1901. — Printeci  for  the  use  of  the  committee. 


Washington  City,  March  20,  1901. 

Sir:  In  compliance  with  the  suggestion  of  Mr.  Charles  Moore,  clerk 
of  3'our  committee,  I  send  herewith  abstracts  from  the  ninth  and  tenth 
annual  reports  of  the  Washington  Board  of  Trade  on  the  development 
of  the  park  sj^stem  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 

In  his  annual  report  of  1899,  President  Theodore  W.  Noyes  said: 

Next  year's  campaign  of  the  board  of  trade  will  deal  with  matters  of  surpassing 
importance.  Especial  attention  should  and  doubtless  will  be  given  to  a  determined 
effort  to  develop  on  broad,  artistic,  and  practical  lines  the  park  system  of  the  city  and 
District.     *     *     * 

The  parking  system  of  the  future  Washington  will  clearly  be  of  wonderful  attract- 
iveness. The  attention  to  be  given  to  the  reservations  within  the  present  city  limits 
will  make  them  health-giving  breathing  places  for  the  benefit  of  that  portion  of  the 
people  who  must  rely  for  fresh  air  and  natural  scenery  upon  parks  close  at  hand.  The 
thousands  of  trees  connecting  these  reservations  with  bands  of  shade  and  making 
Washington  a  forest  city  will  be  multiplied.  The  reservations  themselves  will  be 
adorned  with  all  the  resources  of  the  landscape  gardener's  art,  with  flowering  shrubs 
and  plants,  also  with  statuary  and  with  fountains,  including  the  exceedingly  effective 
electric  fountains  for  which  Colonel  Bingham  pleads.  The  system  of  parklets  of  the 
original  city  will  be  extended  to  the  suburbs,  so  that  the  aspirations  in  this  direction 
of  Eckington,  Columbia  Heights,  and  Anacostia  Heights  may  be  gratified,  and  no 
entei'prising  outlying  tributary  of  the  capital  may  have  cause  to  complain. 

The  mall  of  the  original  city  will  be  connected  with  the  new  Potomac  Park  and 
form  an  integral  and  important  part  of  an  extensive  park  area.  The  blemishes  upon 
the  appearance  of  the  mall  through  disfiguring  railroad  tracks  will  not,  however,  be 
permitted  by  the  public  to  be  duplicated  in  the  case  of  the  new  reservation.  The 
latter  will,  in  pursuance  of  the  declaration  of  the  law,  be  forever  held  and  used  as  a 
public  park,  for  the  recreation  and  pleasure  of  the  people.  Both  Colonel  Bingham 
and  Colonel  Allen  have  taken  a  lively  and  intelligent  interest  in  the  subject  of  the 
development  and  adornment  of  Potomac  Park.  If  a  fraction  of  the  proposed  uses 
of  this  area  is  realized  the  public  welfare  will  be  wonderfully  promoted.     The  park 

5 


6  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OP    COLUMBIA. 

will  be  transformed  into  a  thing  of  beauty  by  the  landscape  gardener's  art;  an 
improved  and  enlarged  bathing  beach  and  bathing  pool  will  contribute  to  the  public 
health;  for  the  recreation  of  the  peoi^le  there  will  he  provided  liaseVjall  diamonds, 
polo  grounds,  tennis  courts,  golf  links,  and  special  areas,  including  piles  of  sand  for 
the  little  ones;  upon  water  basins  will  be  rowboats  and  naphtha  launches;  here  will 
be  laid  out  in  ellipse  shape  a  sidewalk,  a  carriage  drive,  a  bridle  path,  a  bicycle  path 
and  a  speedway,  and  inclosed  within  the  ellipse  will  be  an  area  suitable  for  races  and 
field  sports.  Tree-lined  roads  and  bridle  paths  will  afford  attractive  vistas  of  land 
and  water. 

Continuing  this  system  will  be  the  future  boulevard  along  urban  Rock  Creek,  con- 
necting the  river  reservations  with  the  Zoological  and  Rock  Creek  parks.  Thence 
the  proposed  Fort  drive,  or  some  other  great  avenue  across  the  iiorthern  part  of  the 
District,  will  lead  to  Soldiers'  Home  and  the  Anacostia  Park  that  is  to  be. 

Anacostia  Park  is  capable  of  developing  and  doubtless  will  develop  along  the  lines 
laid  down  for  Potomac  Park. 

As  a  natural  result  of  the  recent  Supreme  Court  decision,  the  river  front,  not  only 
of  the  Potomac  Park,  but  of  the  city  itself,  will  be  developed  in  usefulness  and  attract- 
iveness. In  place  of  the  unsightly  and  discreditable  conditions  which  now  offend 
the  eye  along  the  Potomac  front,  the  natural  results  of  the  uncertainty  concerning 
title  which  has  prevailed,  will  be  substituted  a  handsome  river  wall  of  granite,  broad 
embankments,  stone  piers,  asphalted  streets,  bits  of  parking,  fountains,  shade  trees, 
and  suitable  flower  beds. 

Water  street  must  conform  in  attractive  appearance  to  Potomac  Park  on  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  channel,  with  its  shade  trees  picturesquely  overhanging  the  water. 
The  capital's  water  front  lends  itself  as  readily  to  and  is  as  worthy  of  adornment  as 
those  of  London,  Paris,  and  Berlin. 

With  the  completion  of  the  full  project  of  the  reclamation  of  the  Potomac  Flats 
the  railroad  will  cross  the  deepened  Potomac  on  an  elevated  structure,  clearing  the 
new  park  fi-om  railroad  obstruction,  as  well  as  relieving  the  city  from  the  menace 
of  Long  Bridge  dam,  and  both  by  the  reconstructed  Long  Bridge  and  by  the  Memo- 
rial Bridge  that  is  to  be  the  park  system  on  the  Maryland  side  of  the  Potomac  will 
be  connected  with  the  great  Government  reservation  at  Arlington,  rounded  out  by  a 
boulevard  to  Mount  Vernon,  the  survey  for  which  was  authorized  by  Congress  in 
1889,  and  which  would  assume  a  distinctly  national  and  patriotic  character  as  the 
roadway  from  the  capital  of  the  nation  to  the  tomb  of  its  great  founder. 

No  other  labor  of  the  centennial  year  is  more  inspiring  or  more  promising  of  not- 
able results  in  increasing  the  attractiveness  of  the  capital  than  that  of  developing 
Washington  as  the  city  of  parks  and  the  forest  city  by  a  vigorous  campaign  for  the 
series  of  connected  reservations  above  outlined,  utilizing  at  every  step  Washington's 
diversified  natural  advantages,  the  urban  circles  and  triangles,  the  larger  reservations 
which  furnish  an  emerald  setting  for  public  l)uildings,  the  heights  to  the  north  and 
west,  and  the  beautiful  rivers  to  the  south  and  east,  whose  banks  are  changing,  and 
should  be  quickly  and  thoroughly  transformed  from  marshes  and  malarious  wastes 
into  beautiful  landscapes  with  shaded  driveways  and  with  lawn  surfaces,  diversified 
by  attractive  lakes. 

There  would  not  be,  in  Vienna  or  Budapest,  or  anywhere  in  the  world,  a  grander 
rmg  street  or  boulevard  than  that  which  should  take  its  start  on  the  westward  grassy 
slopes  of  the  Capitol  grounds,  sweep  through  the  Mall  and  Potomac  Park  and  up 
Rock  Creek  to  the  Zoo  and  Rock  Creek  National  Park;  thence  by  boulevard  to  the 
Soldiers'  Home,  and  finally  by  boulevards  and  Anacostia  Park  back  to  the  eastern 
sward  and  shade  trees  and  impressive  Dome  of  the  Capitol.  Its  only  rival  would  be 
the  boulevard  drive  which  should  sweep  from  the  Capitol  through  the  Mall  and 
Potomac  Park,  across  a  magnificent  memorial  bridge  to  Arlington,  and  by  a  national 
boulevard  along  the  Potomac  to  Mount  Vernon  and  the  tomb  of  Washington. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  7 

The  old  Washington  is  a  series  of  parks,  connected  by  broad,  park-Uned  and  tree- 
lined  thoroughfares,  in  Avhose  verdure  and  foliage  the  jjublic  and  private  buildings 
are  framed. 

The  park  system  which  thus  permeates  the  original  city  is  to  pervade  in  like  fash- 
ion the  new  Washington,  and  the  ancient  park  of  the  forefathers'  plans  lying  between 
the  Capitol  and  the  AVhite  House  and  touching  the  Potomac  is  to  merge  into  a  great 
river  park  system,  which  will  include,  as  already  suggested,  both  banks  of  the  Poto- 
mac, the  valley  of  Rock  Greek,  and  the  flats  and  heights  of  the  Anacostia. 

Let  us  of  the  Washington  of  to-day,  in  building  up  the  nation's  city  of  the  second 
century  of  its  life,  emulate  the  breadth  and  boldness  in  design  and  the  A'igor  in  exe- 
cution which  were  displayed  at  the  end  of  the  last  century  and  in  1800  by  the  founders 
of  the  capital. 

The  board  of  trade's  eonimittee  on  parks  and  reservations  reported 
in  November,  1899,  as  follows: 

REPORT    OF    THE    COMMITTEE    ON    PARKS    AND    RESERVATIONS. 

[Henry  F.  Blount,  chairman;  Julian  C.  Dowi'U,  Daniel  Fraser,  Henry  B.  Looker,  .1.  Harrison  Johnson, 
Ward  Thoron,  James  B.  Wimer,  Allen  W.  Mallery,  William  V.  Cox,  Charles  S.  Bundy,  Joseph  H. 
Cranford,  William  L.  Bramhall,  Frank  H.  Thomas,  R.  G.  Rutherford,  J.  L.  Parsons,  Christian 
Heurich,  H.  Randall  Webb,  Charles  Jacobsen,  S.  T.  Brown.] 

Washinc^ton,  T>.  C,  Xovemher  8,  1899. 
The  President  of  the  Washington  Board  of  Trade: 

In  no  year  iu  our  history,  as  the  one  which  is  just  closing,  has  there  been  so  great 
an  advance  in  the  appreciation  of  ours  as  a  great  nation,  and  in  a  like  degree  of  Wash- 
ington as  its  capital  city.  Certainly  there  has  never  been  a  time  when  the  citizens 
of  the  capital  have  been  more  deeply  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  keeping  it 
abreast  of  the  times  in  the  way  of  public  improvements,  not  the  least  of  whicli  are 
its  public  parks. 

We  are  pleased  to  be  able  to  report  progress  in  the  improvements  of  the  parks  of 
the  District  of  Columbia,  especialh^  of  Rock  Creek  Park. 

Work  in  this  park  was  made  possible  under  the  law  passed  at  the  last  session  of 
Congress  making  the  balance  of  §23,69.3.45  on  account  of  acquiring  Rock  Creek  Park 
available  for  its  improvement. 

You  will  recall  that  at  the  January  meeting  of  the  board  my  committee  advocated 
the  adoption  of  certain  resolutions,  which  for  record's  sake  we  will  reproduce: 

"Whereas  under  the  act  of  September  27,  1890,  authorizing  the  establishment  of 
a  public  jjark  in  the  District  .of  Columbia,  there  w'as  acquired  a  most  picturesque 
tract  of  land  lying  on  both  sides  of  Rock  Creek  from  Klingle  Ford  Bridge  to  the 
State  line  of  ^Maryland,  which  under  the  law  is  to  be  perpetually  dedicated  and  set 
apart  as  a  pleasure  groimd  for  the  benefit  and  enjoyment  of  the  people  of  the  United 
States;  and 

"W^hereas  the  said  park  is  inaccessible  to  those  for  whom  it  was  created  for  want 
of  proper  roads  and  entrances:  Therefore,  be  it 

'^Resolved,  That  the  board  of  trade  urgently  requests  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives to  accept  the  amendment  to  the  bill  asking  appropriations  to  provide  for  the 
expenses  of  the  government  of  the  District  of  Columbia  for  the  fiscal  year  ending 
June  30,  1900  (H.  R.  11083),  which  was  adopted  by  the  Senate  on  .January  7,  1899, 
as  follows : 

"  'For  the  care  and  improvement  of  Rock  Creek  Park,  to  be  expended  under  the 
direction  of  the  board  of  control  of  said  park,  the  unexpended  balance,  amounting  to 
$23,693.-45,  of  the  appropriation  made  by  the  act  approved  September  27,  1890,  for 
the  expenses  of  acquiring  said  park,  is  herel^y  appropriated.'      (P.  45,  after  line  5.) 


g  PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

"Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting  that  the  adoption  of  said  amendment 
will  enable  the  legal  custodians  of  the  park  to  begin  to  cai  ry  out  the  provisions  of  the 
law  for  laying  out  and  preparing  roadways  and  bridlepaths  to  be  used  for  driving 
and  horseback  riding,  respectively,  and  footpaths  for  pedestrians,  and  also  to  pre- 
serve from  Injury  or  spoliation  all  timber,  animals,  or  curiosities  within  said  park 
and  their  retention  in  their  natural  condition  as  nearly  as  possible. 

"  Resolved,  That  copies  of  these  resolutions,  duly  attested,  be  sent  by  the  proper  offi- 
cer to  House  and  Senate  conferees  on  the  District  of  Colum):)ia  bill  fH.  R.  11803)  and 
to  the  Committees  on  the  District  of  Columbia  of  the  House  of  Representatives  and 
the  Senate  of  the  United  States." 

These  resolutions  were  not  only  adopted  unanimously,  but  our  committee  made 
special  effort  to  impress  members  of  Congress  with  the  necessity  of  taking  favorable 
action  on  the  suggested  measure.  The  item  was  inserted  in  the  District  bill  and 
became  a  law,  and  no  time  was  lost  by  the  board  of  control,  composed  of  Gen.  John 
M.  Wilson,  U.  S.  A.,  and  Capt.  Lansing  H.  Beach,  U.  S.  A.,  in  opening  up  roads  and 
developing  the  park  on  natural  lines  of  great  beauty. 

It  is  now  possible  to  drive  along  Rock  Creek,  as  it  wildly  dashes  over  falls  and  rapids, 
from  the  Zoological  Park  on  the  south  to  the  Military  road,  west  of  Brightwood. 

Beginning  with  the  lower  end  of  the  park  and  following  the  improvements  in 
detail,  we  have,  first,  the  widening  of  a  narrow  drive  between  Klingle  road  and 
Piney  Branch  and  bordering  the  creek,  then  a  rustic  arch  over  the  mouth  of  Piney 
Branch,  then  a  new  road  that  was  used  previous  to  the  time  of  the  board  of  public 
works.  This  gives  a  continuous  drive  along  the  east  l)ank  of  Rock  Creek  from  Klin- 
gle road  to  the  bridge  at  Pierce  Mill. 

Just  east  of  this  drive  is  the  new  entrance  to  the  park  by  way  of  ColumlMa  avenue. 
A  bridge  60  feet  high  and  300  feet  long  is  being  erected,  at  a  cost  of  ?10,000,  under 
the  bridge  department  of  the  District,  and  about  $1,000  has  been  spent  in  l^uikling 
an  approach  at  the  north  end  of  the  viaduct. 

From  Pierce  mill  to  Blagden  mill  site  a  fair  road  is  in  existence,  and  no  improve- 
ments have  been  made  under  the  l)oard  of  control,  although  some  have  been  suggested. 

From  Blagden  mill  site  to  the  Military  road — a  region  hitherto  open  only  to  good 
pedestrians — the  most  expensive  and  important  part  of  the  park  improvement  has 
been  carried  on  in  opening  up  an  entirely  new  road  and  in  making  accessible  the 
most  rugged  and  wildest  scenery  on  the  creek.  The  road  is  7,000  feet  long  and  graded 
to  a  width  of  30  feet.  The  feature  about  the  road  is  its  winding  nature  and  even 
grade.  Although  there  is  a  rise  of  70  feet  from  Blagden  mill  site  to  the  Military  road, 
this  elevation  is  climbed  by  such  easy  grades  as  to  seem  almost  level.  Some  heavy 
grading  and  blasting  have  been  occasioned,  but  this  last  has  furnished  the  material 
for  the  macadam,  and  this  road  is  unique  in  thus  supplying  material  for  its  construc- 
tion.    Its  cost,  including  cobblestone  gutters,  will  be  something  over  §10,000. 

Where  the  creek  joins  the  Military  road  we  can  still  follow  a  fine  macadam  to  the 
Daniels  road.  From  this  last  point  a  macadam  road  is  lieing  built  through  the  park 
to  the  Broad  Branch  road  at  a  cost  of  $-1,000.  This  road  is  3,000  feet  long  and  leads 
part  of  the  way  through  very  dense  shade. 

The  scenery  along  Rock  Creek  above  the  Military  road  is  so  different  from  that 
immediately  below,  having  a  softer  look,  that  in  the  opinion  of  the  board  of  con- 
trol it  is  very  desirable  to  extend  and  highly  improve  a  di'ive  along  the  upper  pail 
of  the  creek,  where  there  are  no  roads  at  the  present  time  to  make  this  section 
accessible. 

From  Military  road  northward  along  the  creek  work  of  opening  a  dirt  road  to  the 
District  line  is  now  in  progress. 

The  grading  incident  to  such  opening  is  comparatively  small,  the  greatest  item  of 
expense  being  in  macadamizing,  which  must  be  covered  by  future  appropriations. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  9 

We  can  not  commend  too  highly  the  work  done  hy  the  otiicers  in  charge  in  con- 
structing along  the  narrow  gorges  and  between  hills  covered  with  most  beautiful 
trees  a  driveway  which  will  be  enjoyed  by  pleasure  seekers  in  carriages,  on  horse, 
and  on  wheel,  as  well  as  pedestrians,  and  by  citizens  of  the  northern  end  of  the  Dis- 
trict who  may  desire  to  avoid  streets  and  roads  occuy)ied  l)y  electric  cars  in  going  to 
and  coming  from  the  city. 

The  development  of  Rock  Creek  Park  should  be  cuintinued,  and  our  committee 
urges  the  indorsement  of  the  estimate  of  $30,000  made  by  the  District  Commissioners 
for  the  coming  year,  so  that  their  plans  and  those  of  the  l)oaril  of  control  can  be 
carried  out. 

We  feel  that  the  eastern  boundary  of  Rock  Creek  Park  should  be  changed,  and 
that  beyond  the  new  reservoir  at  Brightwood  to  the  District  line  Sixteenth  sti'eet 
should  be  its  eastern  boundary.  There  are  several  small  holdings  between  that  street 
and  the  park  that  were  not  purchased  originally  for  want  of  sufficient  funds.  These 
project  into  the  park,  and  should  be  obtained,  so  as  to  avoid  having  the  park  front 
on  uninviting  back  buildings  that  will  inevitably  be  constructed  on  these  pieces  of 
ground.  In  this  connection  we  desire  to  call  attention  to  the  following  resolutions 
that  were  before  the  board  some  time  ago  and  which  ha^'e  been  adopted  In'  various 
citizens'  associations: 

"ResoJved,  That  in  order  to  make  Rock  Creek  Park  more  accessible  and  to  preserve 
its  beautj'  and  symmetry.  Sixteenth  street  should  form  the  eastern  boundary  of  said 
park  from  Blagden  Mill  road  to  the  District  line. 

"Resolved,  That  on  account  of  its  great  natural  beauty  the  tract  vi  land,  about  600 
feet  in  width,  lying  on  either  side  of  Piney  Branch  stream  from  its  junction  with  Rock 
Creek  to  Columbia  avenue  should  also  l^e  made  a  part  of  Rock  Creek  Park. 

"Eesolred,  That  the  honorable  the  Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columl)ia  Ije 
requested  to  make  a  preliminary  survey  of  the, land  herein  mentioned  and  an  esti- 
mate of  its  cost  and  prepare  plats  of  the  same,  together  with  such  bill  or  bills  for 
obtaining  said  land  b}^  gifts,  purchase,  or  condemnation,  submit  to  and  urge  the  pas- 
sage of  this  measure  by  the  Congress  of  the  United  States." 

We  believe  that  a  iireliminarj^  survey  should  be  made  of  the  land  mentioned  at  the 
earliest  time  practicable  with  a  view  of  acquiring  it.  A  broad  roadway-  should  con- 
nect Rock  Creek  Park  with  the  grounds  of  the  Soldiers'  Home. 

We  conclude  this  part  of  our  report  by  quoting  an  editorial  from  the  Evening  Star 
of  June  28.  1899: 

"It  is  the  opinion  of  experts  in  landscape  gardening  that  the  area  inclosed  within 
the  limits  of  Rock  Creek  Park  is  an  exceptionally  beautiful  bit  of  territory.  The 
gorges  of  the  valley,  the  sturdy  growths  of  forest  trees  on  the  hillsides,  the  waters  of 
the  creek,  and  the  rocks  all  combine  to  form  a  succession  of  picturesque  views  which 
can  not  be  exceeded  in  this  portion  of  the  country.  It  has  long  been  held  by  the 
majority  of  citizens  that  the  most  satisfactory  treatment  of  the  park  would  be  to  per- 
mit as  many  as  possible  of  tlie  natural  features  to  remain  without  change,  while 
furnishing  access  into  and  through  the  park  at  such  places  as  the  toj^ography  suggests. ' 

"There  is  little  or  no  need  of  artificial  gardening  in  the  midst  of  such  a  profusion 
of  natural  beauty.  In  this  \dew  there  has  rather  been  more  patience  with  Congress 
in  proceeding  slowlj'  toward  the  exploitation  and  development  of  the  park  than 
would  have  been  the  case  had  there  been  need  of  expenditures  involving  elaborate 
construction  and  requiring  years  of  labor.  It  has  been  recognized  that  careful  study 
of  the  situation  by  high  authorities  in  such  matters  would  serve  a  far  better  purpose 
than  hasty  performances  intended  solely  to  transform  the  park  into  a  semi-artificial 
picnic  ground  or  flower  garden.  A  new  story  published  to-day  shows  that  a  move 
has  at  last  been  made  toward  the  full  development  of  the  park's  beauties,  which 
ought  to  bring  about  the  desired  results.  Commissioner  Beach  has  undertaken,  as 
executive  oflicer  of  the  park,  to  expend  the  money  granted  by  Congress  at  the  last 


10  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

session  to  open  np  such  thoroughfares  as  will  permit  the  public  to  appreciate  in  a 
measure  the  beautiful  possibilities  of  this  reservation.  These  roads,  following  what 
seems  to  be  the  natural  courses,  will  doubtless  fit  well  into  any  scheme  of  landscape 
work  which  may  later  be  undertaken  after  expert  consideration.  They  will  enable 
members  of  Congress  to  inspect  the  park  and  so  to  legislate  intelligently  upon  its 
needs.  They  will  grant  a  larger  degree  of  public  use,  and  will  thus  enable  the  peo- 
ple to  judge  as  to  the  rare  value  of  this  investment.  It  is,  of  course,  to  be  expected 
that  in  all  the  projects  connected  with  this  park  due  consideration  will  be  accorded 
to  its  peculiar  character  as  a  natural  landscape  and  that  the  most  skillful  assistance 
will  l)e  invoked  in  the  preparation  of  the  ultimate  plans  for  its  development.  When 
properly  opened  to  the  public  use  and  preserved  from  disfiguring  constructions  or 
destructions  this  park  will  soon  become  renowned  as  one  of  the  finest  reservations 
attached  to  an  J' city  in  the  world." 

This  committee  again  invites  your  attention  to  the  needs  of  a  park  in  Georgetown, 
and  again  urges  that  the  Boyce  tract,  "Clifton,"  and  "Normanstone"  be  purchased. 
These  grounds,  comprising  about  70  acres,  should  form  a  park  and  be  connected 
with  driveways  and  made  a  part  of  a  system  of  parks  west  of  Rock  Creek. 

Another  matter  that  we  desire  to  call  attention  to  is  the  conspicuous  absence  of 
parks  and  reservations  directly  north  of  the  city.  It  is  the  hope  of  this  committee 
that  favora)  )le  action  will  be  had  on  the  following  resolution,  which  was  unanimously 
adopted  T)y  the  committee  with  a  view  of  saving  what  is  possible  of  grounds  and 
trees  on  and  near  Fourteenth  street: 

'  ^ Tiesolred ,  As  the  sense  of  this  committee  that  Congress  should  make  provision  so 
far  as  practicable  in  the  so-called  misfit  subdivisions  north  of  the  city  for  parks  and 
reservations  to  correspond  in  number  and  area  with  those  in  the  city  proper." 

Your  committee  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  time  has  arrived  for  the  adoption  of 
some  uniform  plan  for  the  acquiring,  developing,  caring  for,  and  systematically 
improving  the  parks  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 

The  chairman  of  the  Senate  Committee  for  the  District  has  in  course  of  ])reparation 
a  bill  for  the  creation  of  a  park  commission,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  look  into  the 
wants  of  the  entire  District  in  the  matter  of  the  location  of  new  parks  as  well  as  the 
improvement  of  those  already  existing. 

AYe  are  in  most  hearty  sympathy  with  the  spirit  of  C(j1.  Theodore  A.  Bingham's 
report,  in  which  he  says: 

"The  hard  lot  of  the  toiling  masses,  crowded  together  in  cities  and  prevented  by 
the  struggle  for  life  from  improving  their  surroundings,  has  appealed  to  the  growing 
kindliness  of  those  more  fortunate.  *  *  *  Hence  the  opening  of  the  twentieth 
century  is  marked  by  a  strong  movement  to  introduce  into  crowded  city  life  a  little 
touch  of  the  outside  country.  Yaluable  properties  have  l)een  bought  in  large  cities 
and  turned  into  parks.  *  *  *  Y^hile,  however,  the  i:)ark  lands  of  Washington 
have  been  kept  and  slightly  added  to  during  the  last  fifty  years,  Congress  has  not 
seen  fit  to  develop  by  appropriation  for  improvements  the  latent  possibilities  of  the 
park  system  in  Washington.  *  *  *  Ys'ith  the  close  of  one  century  and  the  open- 
ing before  us  as  the  leading  nation  in  the  progress  of  humanity,  it  is  not  only  my 
duty,  but  it  also  seems  a  fitting  time,  to  call  the  particular  attention  of  Congress  to 
the  needs  of  a  greater  liberality  in  developing  and  beautifying  the  parks  of  our 
capital  city." 

We  connnend  the  recommendations  of  Colonel  Bingham  tu  your  favorable  consid- 
eration, and  especially  the  portions  wliich  treat  of  the  Potomac  and  Anacostia  flats 
and  the  Botanic  Garden. 

The  committee  connnends  the  effort  that  is  being  made  to  save  old  Fort  Stevens, 
near  Brightwood,  and  the  fortification  line  to  Rock  Creek  Park  as  a  battlefield  park. 
Here  was  fought,  July  11  and  12,  1864,  the  only  Ijattle  that  ever  took  place  in  the 
District  of  Columbia,  President  Lincoln  being  in  the  front  at  the  time,  encouraging 
the  Union  Army  to  deeds  of  valor. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  11 

In  his  annual  report  of  November,  1900,  President  John  Joy  Edson 
said: 

With  a  policy  defined  "to  develop  on  broad,  artistic,  practical  lines  the  park  sj'S- 
tem  of  the  District  of  Columbia,"  the  committee  on.  parks  and  reservations  has  been 
constantl}'  working,  during  the  past  j'ear,  M'ith  good  progress.  It  submits  a  valuable 
report  for  the  information  and  guidance  of  the  board  of  trade.  The  committee,  as 
heretofore,  and  in  accordance  with  resolutions  heretofore  adopted,  deemed  it  proper 
to  imj^ress  upon  the  board  of  trade  "  that  the  preservation  of  the  parks  should  be  the 
constant  care  of  every  citizen  of  the  District  who  may  be  called  to  any  public  station, 
and  especially  should  this  committee  (for  the  board  of  trade)  see  to  it  that  these 
parks  and  reservations  be  not  diverted  to  any  private  purpose  whatever." 

After  a  full  investigation  into  the  proposition  for  the  extension  of  the  park  system 
along  Rock  Creek  Valley,  it  recommends  the  continuation  of  the  national  park  sys- 
tem along  Rock  Creek  from  the  Zoological  Park  south  to  Penns3'lvania  avenue  and 
Twenty-seventh  street,  and  suitably  improving  the  latter  street,  to  make  it  a  desir- 
able and  pleasant  driveway  between  the  Rock  Creek  and  Potomac  parks.  It  also 
indorses  the  proposition  to  extend  the  park  west  of  Rock  Creek  by  the  purchase  of 
what  is  now  known  as  the  Boyce  tract,  leading  up  to  U  or  Road  streets,  which  would 
make  a  natural  entrance  to  the  park  from  West  Washington.  For  this  purpose  the 
condemnation  and  purchase  of  31  acres  of  land  would  be  required,  at  a  cost  of  about 
$180,000.  Messrs.  H.  P.  and  Thomas  E.  Waggaman  have  generously  offered  to  (huiate 
about  7  acres  of  Woodley  Park  as  an  entrance  to  the  Zoological  Park. 

Rock  Creek  at  present,  between  Washington  and  West  Washington,  is  allowed  to 
be  a  dumping  ground,  and  the  stream  is  polluted  by  sewage.  Parking,  terracing, 
and  driveways  would,  of  course,  eliminate  these  unhealthy  and  unsightly  features. 

IMPROVEMENTS  PROVIDED   FOR. 

As  a  step  toward  effecting  these  improvements  in  the  park  system  it  is  gratifying 
to  state  that  there  was  inserted  in  the  sundry  civil  bill  at  the  last  session  of  Congress 
an  item  providing  that — 

"The  Chief  of  Engineers  of  the  United  States  Army  is  authorized  to  make  an 
examination  and  to  report  to  Congress  on  the  first  Monday  in  December,  1900,  plans 
for  the  treatment  of  that  section  of  the  District  of  Columbia  situated  south  of  Pennsyl- 
vania avenue  and  north  of  B  street  southwest,  and  for  a  suitable  connection  l)etween 
the  Potomac  and  the  Zoological  parks,  and  in  making  such  examinations  and  plans 
he  is  authorized  to  employ  a  landscape  architect  of  conspicuous  ability  in  liis  pro- 
fession. For  services  and  expenses  incident  to  said  examination  and  report  the  sum 
of  $4,000  is  hereb)'  appropriated." 

Under  this  appropriation  plans  are  l^eing  prepared  and  estimates  made  b}'  the 
Chief  Engineer  of  tlie  United  States  Army,  and  will  be  submitted  to  Congress  at  the 
next  session,  both  in  respect  to  the  Rock  Creek  Park  and  tlie  treatment  of  the  sec- 
tion south  of  Pennsylvania  avenue  between  Third  and  Fifteenth  streets.  It  is  esti- 
mated that  the  cost  of  purchasing  the  ground  south  of  the  Avenue  would  be  $5,929,997. 

The  improvements  made  in  Rock  Creek  Park,  with  the  limited  means  at  the  dis- 
posal of  tlie  Engineer  Commissioner,  have  been  judiciously  made,  securing  a  beauti- 
ful driveway  from  the  Military  road  along  Rock  Creek  to  the  District  line,  and 
another  road  is  in  process  of  construction.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  Congress  has 
failed  to  make  Ijetter  provision  for  the  improvement  of  this  beautiful  park  to  put  it 
in  a  condition  to  be  enjoyed  by  the  public.  Several  times  the  amount  appropriated 
last  year  would  be  nearer  what  is  right  and  proper,  and  it  is  lioped  that  Congress 
will  be  more  liberal  next  year.  The  c(jmmittee  indorses  the  recommendation  of  the 
Commissioners  of  $50,000. 


12  PAKK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

One  of  the  mo.st  important  roads  leading  to  Rock  Creek  from  the  east  is  an  avenue 
120  feet  wide.  This  avenue  is  a  valuable  and  splendid  donation  made  by  Mr.  Thomas 
Blagden,  Avho,  I  am  proud  to  say,  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  trade. 

NORTH    OF    FLORIDA    AVEXUE. 

No  steps  have  been  taken  or  provisions  made  for  providing  parks  for  that  portion 
of  the  city  north  of  Florida  avenue,  which  is  so  rapidly  being  built  up.  It  is  highly 
important,  if  parks  are  ever  to  be  provided,  to  do  it  now  before  the  ground  becomes 
so  valuable  as  to  render  it  impracticable. 

FORT    STEVENS    RESERVATION. 

The  committee  recommended  the  establishment  of  a  battlefield  park  at  Fort 
Stevens,  which  is  located  near  the  national  cemetery  on  Brightwood  avenue. 

Here  the  capital  was  successfully  defended  on  July  11  and  12,  1864,  against  capture 
by  General  Early's  army,  and  here  stood  Abraham  Lincoln  under  fire  during  that 
important  battle.  The  Union  Veteran  Union  has  taken  a  patriotic  interest  in  the 
proposition  and  has  earnestly  given  it  its  indorsement.  The  first  time  that  this  idea 
was  advanced,  in  respect  to  Fort  Stevens,  was  as  far  back  as  1867,  and  it  was  felt  that 
earnest  effort  should  now  be  made  to  accomplish  the  purchase  of  ground  necessary 
without  further  delay. 

Other  historical  battlefields  and  forts  of  the  civil  war  in  the  District  of  Columbia 
could  be  similarly  utilized  to  great  advantage  in  the  way  of  securing  beautiful  national 
parks,  not  only  to  be  enjoyed  by  the  people,  but  instructive  in  history.  Consider- 
able interest,  the  committee  reports,  has  been  aroused  by  the  proposition  for  adojit- 
ing  a  uniform  system  of  naming  and  labeling  the  trees  and  plants  about  the  city, 
which  was  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  board  of  trade,  and  resolutions  were 
adopted  indorsing  such  a  course.  The  committee  feels  encouraged  from  conferences 
with  the  honorable  Secretary  of  Agriculture  that  he  will  have  the  trees  in  the  Depart- 
ment grounds  j^roperly  marked  at  an  early  date,  and  hope  is  also  expressed  that  the 
District  Commissioners  and  officers  in  charge  of  the  public  grounds  will  foll<Jw  the 
example  of  the  honorable  Secretary  of  Agriculture.  From  a  scientific  and  educa- 
tional point  of  view  it  would  prove  of  great  advantage. 

The  Ijoard  of  trade's  committee  on  parks  and  reservations  reported 
in  last  November  as  follows: 

REPORT    OF    THE    COMMITTEE    ON    PARKS    AND    RESERVATIONS. 

[Henry  F.  Blount  chairman;  F.  L.  Moore,  vice-chairman;  W.  V.  Cox,  secretary;  Julian  C.  Dowell, 
Henry  B.  Looker,  Ward  Thoron,  James  B.  Wimer,  Allen  \V.  Mallery,  Frank  H.  Thomas,  R.  G. 
Rutherford,  J.  L.  Parsons,  Charles  Jacobsen,  A.  M.  Read,  John  C.  Chaney,  Frank  Baker,  A.  E. 
Randle,  George  O.  Totten,  Arthur  Copeland,  E.  B.  Evans,  J.  Fred  Gatcliel,  J.  H.  Harban,  Esau  L. 
Johnson,  C.  C.  Lancaster,  J.  William  Lee,  William  S.  Lofton,  S.  A.  Manuel,  H.  D.  Mirick,  A.  P. 
Newton,  H.  O.  Wilbur,  Prank  G.  Wilkins,  C.  F.  Young,  Court  F.  Wood,  Charles  S.  Bundy.] 

Washington,  D.  C,  November  6,  1900. 
The  President  of  the  Washington  Board  of  Trade: 

The  committee  on  parks  and  reservations  held  three  meetings  during  the  year.  At 
the  first  meeting  i\Ir.  F.  L.  Moore  was  chosen  vice-chairman,  and  W.  V.  Cox  secre- 
tary. The  officers  and  the  following-named  members  were  designated  an  executive 
committee:  C.  S.  Bundy,  H.  B.  Looker,  A.  W.  Mallery,  Albert  M.  Read,  and  G.  0. 
Totten. 

The  plans  outlined  by  President  Noyes  in  his  farewell  address  of  November  13, 
1899,  to  make  future  Washington  a  city  of  parks,  were  discussed,  and  it  was  unani- 
mously agreed  that  a  systematic  effort  should  be  made  by  the  committee  to  develop, 
on  broad,  artistic,  practical  lines,  the  park  system  of  the  District  of  Columbia. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  13 

Among  the  first  resolutions  adoi:)ted  were  the  following: 

"Whereas  the  parks  and  reservations  of  the  eitj^  of  Washington  are  the  propertj^  of 
all  the  people  of  the  United  States,  were  purchased  in  fee  simple  and  dedicated  to  the 
public  b}' President  Washington  as  an  essential  feature  of  the  capital  city:  Therefore 

"Be  it  resolved,  That  their  preservation  should  be  the  constant  care  of  every  citizen 
of  the  District  who  may  be  called  to  any  public  station,  and  especially  should  this 
committee  see  to  it  that  no  parks  or  reservations  be  diverted  to  any  private  purpose 
whatever. 

"Resolved,  As  the  sense  of  the  committee  on  parks  and  reservations,  that  it  again 
place  itself  on  record  in  opposition  to  the  use  of  any  public  park,  including  Eawlins 
Square,  for  other  than  park  purposes." 

A  subcommittee,  composed  of  Mr.  F.  L.  ^loore,  Judge  C.  S.  Bundy,  and  Gen. 
R.  G.  Rutherford,  was  appointed  to  look  after  legislation  affecting  the  parks  of  the 
District  and  to  report  to  the  committee  from  time  to  time. 

KOCK    CREEK    PARK    SYSTEM. 

The  subject  that  received  most  attention  from  the  committee  was  the  extension  of 
the  park  system  along  Rock  Creek  Valley  south  from  Zoological  Park,  and  the  fol- 
lowing resolution  on  this  subject  was  adopted: 

"Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  parks  and  reservations  heartily  and  unanimously 
commends  to  the  board  of  trade  and  to  Congress  the  continuation  of  the  national 
park  system  along  Rock  Creek  from  Zoological  Park  south  to  ^Massachusetts  avenue 
on  the  east  side,  and  to  Road  (U)  street  on  the  west,  as  shown  on  the  map  herewith 
presented." 

Subsequently,  the  southern  terminus  was  fixed  at  the  south  side  of  Pennsylvania 
avenue,  from  which  it  was  thought  suitable  connections  could  be  made  by  drivewaj's 
to  the  jNIall,  Potomac  Park,  Naval  Observatory  grounds,  and  over  the  proposed 
Memorial  bridge  to  Arlington  National  Cemetery. 

Several  hearings  were  granted  the  committee  by  a  subcommittee  of  the  Senate 
Committee  on  the  District  of  Columbia,  at  one  of  which  Hon.  John  B.  Wight  and 
Capt.  L.  H.  Beach,  U.  S.  A.,  District  Commissioners,  were  i:>resent  and  took  part  in 
the  discussion.  At  the  request  of  Senator  iMc^NIillan,  chairman  of  the  Senate  District 
Committee,  estimates  were  obtained,  showing  the  quantity  and  value  of  ground 
required  for  extending  the  Rock  Creek  Park  system  as  far  south  as  Road  street,  includ- 
ing Boyce  tract,  the  natural  beginning  of  the  system  in  Georgetown.  Maps  were 
prepared  by  Capt.  H.  B.  Looker,  surveyor  of  the  District,  showing  the  proposed  lines 
of  the  extension.     The  ground  required  for  the  park  north  of  U  street  was  as  follows: 

Judson  heirs,  13  acres;  Barnard  heirs,  5  acres;  J.  W.  Thompson,  10  acres;  C.  C. 
Glover,  3  acres;  total,  31  acres. 

In  addition  to  this,  Messrs.  H.  P.  and  T.  E.  Waggaman  offered  to  donate  about 
300,000  feet  of  ground  north  of  Woodley  road  as  an  entrance  to  Zoological  Park. 
Mr.  C.  C.  Glover,  the  early  champion  of  Rock  Creek  Park,  offered  his  holdings  at 
what  they  actually  cost  him  some  years  ago.  The  total  cost  of  the  31  acres  was  esti- 
mated at  about  $180,000. 

A  i)etition  signed  by  750  leading  citizens  and  also  one  signed  by  most  of  the 
physicians  of  the  District,  obtained  V)y  Col.  W.  L.  Bramhall,  were  left  with  the  Senate 
Committee  on  the  District  of  Columbia. 

The  proposition  contained  in  these  petitions  was  to  prevent  the  bank  of  Rock 
Creek  within  the  city  from  being  made  a  dumping  ground  and  to  prevent  the  pollu- 
tion of  the  stream,  by  connecting  all  lateral  sewers  with  the  trunk  sewer,  taking  the 
gromid  for  a  park,  improving  it  by  terraces  and  driveways. 


14  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

CONXECTION    BETWEEN    POTOMAC    AND    ZOOLOGICAL    PARKS. 

By  the  united  and  cooperative  efforts  of  this  committee  and  the  national  capital 
centennial  committee,  Senator  James  McMillan,  chairman  of  the  Senate  District 
Committee,  was  able  to  obtain  recognition  for  at  least  the  principle  for  which  we 
contended,  by  the  insertion  of  the  following  item  in  the  sundry  civil  act: 

"The  Chief  of  Engineers  of  the  United  States  Army  is  authorized  to  make  an 
examination,  and  to  report  to  Congress  on  the  first  Monday  in  December,  1900, 
plans  for  the  treatment  of  that  section  of  the  District  of  Columbia  situated  south  of 
Pennsylvania  avenue  and  north  of  B  street  southwest,  and  for  a  suitable  connection 
between  the  Potomac  and  the  Zoological  parks,  and  in  making  such  examinations 
and  plans  he  is  authorized  to  employ  a  landscape  architect  of  conspicuous  ability  in 
his  profession;  for  services  and  expenses  incident  to  said  examination  and  report,  the 
sum  of  $4,000  is  hereby  appropriated." 

The  committee  desires  to  publicly  express  its  thanks  to  Senator  McMillan,  and  to 
Mr.  Charles  Moore,  the  efficient  secretary  of  the  Senate  District  Committee,  for  the 
interest  they  have  manifested  in  the  suggestions  made  before  that  committee.  We 
also  desire  to  express  our  grateful  appreciation  to  the  citizens'  committee  on  the 
national  capital  centennial  for  the  untiring  efforts  of  its  members  in  getting  legisla- 
tion to  unite  the  disjointed  jmrks,  the  Mall,  Potomac,  Zoological,  and  Rock  Creek 
parks,  into  one  comprehensive  scheme. 

As  a  part  of  the  general  system,  the  committee  took  every  occasion  to  point  out 
the  necessity  of  the  Government's  taking  the  property  on  the  south  side  of  Pennsyl- 
vania avenue,  between  the  Treasury  and  the  Capitol,  and  Ijetween  the  avenue  and 
the  Mall,  on  which  to  erect  future  public  ])uildings,  the  valuation  of  ground  and 
imi^rovements  thereon  being  estimated  by  the  District  Commissioners  at  $5,929,997. 

The  work  of  preparing  the  plans  connecting  Potomac  Park  and  Zoological  Park, 
it  is  understood,  is  in  progress,  in  connection  with  the  treatment  of  the  south  side  of 
the  Avenue,  and  this  committee  feels  that  Gen.  John  'SI.  Wilson,  the  Chief  of  En- 
gineers, and  Col.  T.  A.  Bingham,  superintendent  of  public  buildings  and  grounds, 
will  submit  plans  to  Congress,  on  the  lines  approved  by  the  chairman  of  the  Senate 
District  Committee,  which  will  be  satisfactory  to  the  citizens  of  the  District  and  of 
the  United  States. 

ROCK    CREEK    PARK. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  trade  March  28  last  the  following  resolution  was 
adoYAed: 

"Resolved,  That  the  board  of  trade  respectfully  and  earnestly  urges  the  Senate 
Appropriations  Committee  to  insert  the  itejn  of  $30,000  for  care  and  improvement  of 
Rock  Creek  Park,  estimated  for  by  the  Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columbia 
and  which  was  not  reported  by  the  Appropriations  Committee  of  the  House  of 
Representatives. ' ' 

Fifteen  thou&and  dollars,  one-half  of  the  amount  asked,  was  appropriated  by  Con- 
gress, and  with  it  Captain  Beach,  District  Engineer  Commissioner,  has  continued  the 
work  of  grading,  regulating,  and  macadamizing  the  driveway  along  Rock  Creek,  as 
mentioned  in  our  last  report.  This  driveway  has  been  extended  from  IMilitary  road 
along  the  creek  to  the  District  line,  and  a  new  road  is  being  constructed  to  reach  the 
higher  level  road  near  Broad  Branch.  This  will  be  a  great  advantage  to  the  public, 
now  leai'ning  to  drive  in  Rock  Creek  Park. 

One  of  the  most  important  roads  leading  to  Rock  Creek  Park  from  the  east  will  be 
Blagden  avenue,  which  extends  along  the  valley  south  of  the  present  Blagden  Mill 
road  in  a  northeasterly  direction  for  a  distance  of  nearly  a  mile.  This  avenue,  which 
is  120  feet  wide,  was  donated  to  the  District  by  Mr.  Thomas  Blagden,  one  of  our 
public-spirited  citizens,  and  when  open  it  will  have  a  grade  of  about  2  per  cent,  and 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  15 

will  make  it  possible  to  abandon  the  old  and  dangerous  Argyle  Will  road.  The  open- 
ing of  Sixteenth  street,  proceedings  for  which  have  already  been  instituted  by  the 
Commissioners,  will  be  of  incalculable  advantage  in  developing  Rock  Creek  Park. 
The  committee  commends  the  action  of  the  Commissioners  and  the  board  of  control 
for  securing  legislation  for  the  exchange  of  ground  near  the  Brightwood  reservoir, 
giving  an  increased  park  frontage  on  Sixteenth  street. 

The  opening  of  Genesee  street  from  Brightwood  avenue  to  Piney  Branch  road,  in 
connection  with  Illinois  avenue  and  Blagden  avenue,  will  make  a  most  desirable 
driveway  from  Rock  Creek  Park  to  the  Soldiers'  Home  grounds. 

The  committee  recommends  that  the  estimates  of  the  District  Commissioners  for 
$50,000  to  be  expended  during  the  coming  year  in  Rock  Creek  Park  toward  making 
it  accessible  to  the  public,  for  whom  it  was  created,  be  indorsed  by  the  board  of  trade. 

PARK    NORTH    OF    FLORIDA    AVENUE. 

Attention  is  again  called  to  the  fact  that  there  are  no  parks  in  ihat  beautiful  por- 
tion of  new  Washington  north  of  Florida  avenue,  for  which  an  effort  should  be  made 
by  all  the  citizens,  especially  for  that  part  of  the  District,  before  all  the  indigenous 
trees  are  leveled  and  the  available  ground  is  disposed  of  for  building  sites. 

FORT   STEVENS    PARK.       (PlatNo.   1.) 

The  committee  is  pleased  to  note  the  interest  being  shown  all  over  the  country  in 
the  establishment  of  a  battlefield  park  at  Fort  Stevens,  to  which  reference  was  made 
in  the  report  of  last  year. 

The  Associated  Survivors  of  the  Sixth  Army  Corps  have  indorsed  the  plan,  as  have 
other  military  organizations.  A  recent  indorsement  was  that  of  the  Union  Veterans' 
Union,  representing  over  100,000  soldiers  of  the  civil  war,  in  the  following  resolution: 

"Whereas  memorial  exercises  held  at  Battle-Ground  National  Cemetery  on  May 
30,  and  the  raising  of  the  American  flag  at  old  Fort  Stevens  on  'Flag  Day,'  June  14, 
1900,  by  the  daughter  of  the  Sixth  Army  Corps  (Mrs.  Rosa  Wright  Smith),  has 
tended  to  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  it  was  the  gallant  action  of  the  Union  forces 
on  this  field  on  July  11  and  12,  1864,  that  saved  the  caj^ital  of  our  country  from  cap- 
ture by  the  enemy;  and 

"Whereas  it  was  on  the  parapet  of  Fort  Stevens  that  Abraham  Lincoln,  the  mar- 
tyred President,  stood  under  fire  and  sustained  by  his  presence  the  efforts  of  the 
Union  troops:  Therefore,  be  it 

^'Resolved,  That  the  Union  Veterans'  Union  petition  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States  to  appropriate  a  sufficient  sum  of  money  to  purchase  Fort  Stevens  and  mark 
the  only  battlefield  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  as  it  has  patriotically  done  elsewhere. 

'^Resolved  further,  Thata  copy  of  these  resolutions,  duly  authenticated,  be  forwarded 
to  the  President  pro  tempore  of  the  Senate  and  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, and  that  the  members  of  the  Union  Veterans'  Union,  individually,  urge 
their  Senators  and  Representatives  to  support  any  patriotic  measure  looking  to  the 
acquiring  and  marking  of  this  historic  fort." 

The  Evening  Star  of  October  3,  1900,  editorially  indorsed  this  resolution  as  follows: 

"The  action  of  the  Union  Veterans'  Union  in  indorsing  the  proposition  that  the 
Government  secure  control  of  the  site  of  old  Fort  Stevens  ought  to  be  of  material 
aid  in  fostering  this  enterprise.  At  that  jjoint  was  fought  an  engagement  of  historic 
note  during  the  civil  war.  There  fell  the  onh'  men  who  lost  their  lives  defending 
the  city  from  immediate  assault.  Of  all  the  defenses  that  encircled  Washington 
during  the  rebellion.  Fort  Stevens  bears  a  peculiar  significance  on  this  account.  Its 
preservation  would  be  directly  in  line,  too,  Avith  the  scheme  to  surround  the  city 
with  a  driveway  which  will  include  all  the  military  sites,  thus  affording  opportunity 
to  the  tourist  for  an  historical  tour  of  the  environs.     With  Fort  Stevens  preserved  as 


16  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

a  nucleus  for  this  boulevard  or  drive,  it  would  be  the  easier  to  secure  favorable  action 
'by  Congress  toward  the  consummation  of  the  jjlans  prepared  and  earnestly  advocated 
by  Engineer  Commissioner  Powell  during  his  term  of  office. ' ' 

The  acquiring  of  Fort  Stevens  for  a  park  was  mentioned  as  far  back  as  in  1867,  and 
the  committee  feels  that  the  time  has  come  for  a  united  effort  to  secure  this  historic 
site. 

Other  portions  of  ground  on  which  still  stand  the  grim  reminders  of  the  civil  war 
will  then  likely  also  be  obtained,  and  by  connecting  one  with  the  other  and  with  the 
Soldiers'  Home  grounds  and  Anacostia  Park,  in  connection  with  the  Mall,  Potomac, 
Zoological,  Rock  Creek  parks,  and  Arlington,  Washington  will  be  surrounded  by  a 
system  of  the  most  beautiful  natural  parks  in  the  world;  and  marking  the  only  battle- 
field of  the  civil  war  in  the  District  of  Columbia  and  the  point  where  the  gallant 
Joshua  Barney  and  his  brave  men  opposed  the  British  on  August  24,  1814,  would  be 
of  great  historic  interest  to  all  Americans. 

ANACOSTIA    PARK. 

The  subject  of  the  improvement  of  Anacostia  River  and  the  reclamation  of  the 
health-destroying  marshes  has  been  before  Congress  for  many  years.  Numerous 
surveys  have  been  made,  but  as  the  expense  is  considerable,  it  has  thus  far  failed  to 
take  hold  of  this  important  improvement  seriously.  It  is  hoped  that  this  matter 
will  receive  the  attention  it  deserves,  and  that  this  uninviting  river  with  its  mias- 
matic swamps,  whose  baneful  influence  is  so  seriously  felt  by  a  large  portion  of  the 
citizens  of  Washington,  troops  at  the  barracks,  employees  at  the  navy-yard,  inmates 
of  St.  Elizabeth's  Asylum,  and  those  in  other  public  institutions  located  in  that 
region,  will  be  improved  as  reported  on  by  Lieut.  Col.  C.  J.  Allen,  U.  S.  A.,  and 
recommended  by  General  Wilson  in  1898. 

naming;  and  labeling  trees  and  plants. 

Through  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Albert  M.  Read,  a  member  of  the  committee,  consider- 
able interest  has  lieen  aroused  in  the  proposition  of  adopting  some  uniform  system 
of  naming  and  labeling  the  trees  and  plants  throughout  the  city.  This  matter  was 
brought  to  the  attention  of  the  board  of  trade  in  the  following  resolutions: 

"Whereas  the  honorable  Secretary  of  Agriculture  has,  in  his  annual  report,  called 
the  attention  of  Congress  to  the  importance  to  the  Department  of  Agriculture  of  an 
arboretum,  in  which  can  be  brought  together  for  study  all  the  trees  that  Avill  grow 
in  the  climate  of  Washington,  and  suggested  that  the  area  known  as  the  'Mall'  be 
set  aside  for  that  purpose:  Therefore,  be  it 

"Eesolved,  That,  recognizing  the  great  benefits  that  would  accrue  to  the  scientific 
and  educational  interests  of  our  country  and  its  capital  by  the  i^lanting  of  such  an 
arboretum  as  is  contemplated,  the  board  of  trade,  in  public  meeting  assembled, 
approves  the  project. 

"Be  it  further  resolved,  That  the  committee  on  parks  and  reservations  of  this  board 
is  hereby  instructed  to  earnestly  cooperate  with  the  Department  of  Agriculture  in 
securing  the  establishment  of  this  important  public  improvement  in  such  park  or 
parks  in  the  District  of  Columbia  as  may  be  decided  upon  as  most  suitable  for  the 
purpose. ' ' 

Considerable  correspondence  has  been  had  with  the  Hon.  James  Wilson,  Secre- 
tary of  Agriculture,  and  Mr.  F.  Y.  Coville,  botanist  of  the  Department,  and  there  is 
little  doubt  but  that  the  Secretary  will  have  the  trees  in  the  Department  grounds 
marked  within  a  short  time.  There  is  also  great  hope  that  the  District  Commissioners 
and  the  officer  in  charge  of  public  buildings  and  grounds  will  place  suitable  marks 
designating  the  trees  in  the  different  squares. 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


17 


On  December  14  of  la.st  year  the  board  of  trade  unanimously 
adopted  the  following  resolutions: 

Whereas  it  has  long  been  manifest  that  a  comprehensive  and  symmetric  i:)lan  of 
treatment  for  the  parks  and  reservations,  pubhc-building  sites,  and  bridges  of  the 
District  could  no  longer  be  deferred  without  detriment  to  the  original  designs  of 
President  Washington  and  his  associates;  and 

Whereas  at  the  dawn  of  the  new  century  it  has  been  clearly  demonstrated  that 
love  of  country  included  love  for  the  country's  capital;  and 

Whereas  we  believe  that  no  sentiment  is  more  ardent  or  more  universal  than  that 
of  pride  in  the  "permanent  seat  of  the  Government"  of  the  United  States:  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Washington  Board  of  Trade  earnestly  recommend  to  both 
Houses  of  Congress  that  an  appropriate  legislative  act  be  passed  at  the  earliest 
practicable  date  to  authorize  the  President  to  appoint  a  commission  of  three  or  five 
building  and  landscape  architects,  each  eminent  and  experienced  in  his  profession, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  devise  and  report  to  Congress  suitable  and  adequate  plans 
for  the  development  of  the  capital  city,  in  subordination  to  the  plan  of  its  founders, 
and  yet  sufficientl}'  expanded  in  dimensions  to  typify  a  century's  growth  of  the 
Republic. 

I  also  make  a  part  of  this  communication  Senate  bill  No.  6065,  intro- 
duced by  Mr.  Proctor  at  the  last  session  of  Congress,  to  mark  the 
only  battlefield  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 

A  BILL  to  establish  a  national  military  park  at  the  battlefield  of  Fort  Steve-^s,  in  the  District  of 

Columbia. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Rejjresentatives  of  the  United  States  of  America 
in  Congress  assembled,  That  for  the  purpose  of  preserving  and  suitably  marking  for 
historical  and  professional  military  study  the  only  battlefield  in  the  District  of 
Columbia,  known  as  Fort  Stevens,  where  the  advance  line  of  Confederate  troops, 
mider  General  Jubal  A.  Early,  met  the  improvised  Union  forces — then  the  sole  defense 
of  Washington — under  General  A.  ]\IcD.  McCook,  and  stoutly  resisted  until  they 
could  not  longer  contend  favorably  with  the  enemy's  line,  thits  rendering  it  neces- 
sary that  they  should  be  "ordered  to  fall  back  slowly,  fighting  until  they  reached 
the  rifle  pits,"  where  they  met  a  detachment  of  the  Veteran  Sixth  Army  Corps,  com- 
manded by  General  H.  G.  Wright,  whose  timely  arrival  on  this  battlefield,  on  the 
memorable  day  of  July  eleventh,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-four,  saved,  at  a  cost 
of  many  noble  lives,  the  national  capital  from  capture;  and  to  render  historic  and 
patriotic  the  location  where  Abraham  Lincoln,  then  President  of  the  United  States, 
stood  and  witnessed  said  battle,  the  Secretary  of  War  is  hereby  authorized  and 
directed  to  acquire,  under  the  provision  of  the  act  approved  February  twenty-second, 
eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-seven,  entitled  "An  act  to  establish  and  protect  national 
cemeteries,"  or  under  the  act  approved  August  first,  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty- 
eight,  entitled  "An  act  to  authorize  condemnation  of  land  for  sites  of  pul^lic  build- 
ings, and  for  other  purposes,"  all  that  parcel  of  land  situated  near  Brightwood,  in  the 
District  of  Columbia,  and  particularly  described  as  follows: 

Beginning  at  the  point  A,  on  the  plat  hereto  attached,  at  the  junction  of  the  west 
line  of  Brightwood  avenue  and  the  north  line  of  the  public  school  lot  immediately 
north  of  Brightwood;  thence  northerly  with  the  west  side  of  Brightwood  avenue, 
four  hundred  and  forty  feet,  more  or  less,  to  the  easterly  projection  of  the  center  line 
of  that  street  of  the  highway-extension  plan,  running  east  and  west,  and  whose  east- 
ward projection  runs  next  north  of  old  Fort  Stevens  parapet;  thence  with  the  east- 
ern projection  of  said  center  line  aforesaid,  and  with  the  said  center  line  itself,  due 
west  nine  hundred  feet,  more  or  less,  to  a  point  three  hundred  and  twenty  feet  west 

p  1—03 2 


18  PAKK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

of  the  west  line  of  Thirteenth  street  extended;  thence  due  south  seven  hundred  and 
ninety  feet,  more  or  less,  to  the  north  line  of  the  Rock  Creek  Ford  road;  thence 
along  the  north  line  of  said  road  southeasterly  one  hundred  feet;  thence  due  north 
sixty-eight  feet,  more  or  less,  to  the  center  of  the  second  street  of  the  highway-exten- 
sion plans  lying  south  of  the  first-mentioned  street  of  said  plans;  thence  with  the 
center  line  of  said  street  and  from  the  point  sixty-eight  feet,  more  or  less,  from  Eock 
Creek  Ford  road  southeasterly  two  hundred  and  sixty-five  feet,  more  or  less,  to  inter- 
sect the  center  line  of  the  due  east  and  west  portion  of  said  last-mentioned  street; 
thence  with  said  center  line  due  east  two  hundred  and  thirty  feet,  more  or  less,  to 
the  west  side  of  the  old  Piney  Branch  road;  thence  with  the  west  side  of  said  road 
northerly  four  hundred  feet,  more  or  less,  to  the  projection  of  the  north  line  of  the 
public  school  property  aforementioned;  thence  with  said  north  line  southeasterly 
two  hundred  and  forty  feet,  more  or  less,  to  the  beginning,  containing  fourteen  acres, 
more  or  less,  and  being  the  same  parcel  colored  green  and  inclosed  Ijy  the  lines  A,  B, 
C,  D,  E,  F,  G,  H,  I,  A,  on  plat  hereto  attached,  together  with  that  square  of  the  high- 
waj'^-extension  plans  lying  east  of  Brightwood  avenue,  and  being  the  fourth  square 
east  of  said  avenue  and  bounded  on  the  south  by  the  second  of  the  east  and  west 
streets  of  said  i^lans  north  of  the  junction  of  roads  at  Brightwood,  containing  five 
acres,  more  or  less,  and  also  together  with  that  block  of  the  highway-extension  plans 
inclosing  old  Fort  Totten,  containing  four  and  one-half  acres,  more  or  less;  all  three 
parcels  above  described  being  selected  on  such  topograi:)hical  plan  as  to  include  the 
most  important  strategic  points  in  the  chain  of  defenses  on  the  north  of  Washington, 
extending  from  Fort  Reno  on  the  west  to  Fort  Totten  on  the  east,  this  line  being  in 
actual  use  during  the  engagement  of  July  eleventh  and  twelfth,  eighteen  hundred 
and  sixty-four,  the  total  area  of  the  three  parcels  being  twenty-three  and  one-half 
acres,  more  or  less,  and  npon  the  report  of  the  Attorney-General  of  the  United  States 
that  a  perfect  title  has  been  secured  under  the  provisions  of  the  aforesaid  acts,  the 
said  lands  and  roads  are  hereby  declared  to  be  a  national  park,  to  be  known  as  the 
Fort  Stevens  Lincoln  National  Park. 

Sec.  2.  That  the  said  Fort  Stevens  Lincoln  National  Park  shall  be  under  the  con- 
trol of  the  Secretary  of  War,  and  it  shall  be  his  duty,  immediately  after  the  passage 
of  this  act,  to  notify  the  Attorney-General  of  the  purpose  of  the  United  States  to 
acquire  title  to  the  lands  and  roads  described  in  the  previous  section  of  this  act  under 
the  prov'^'ions  of  the  aforesaid  acts;  and  the  said  Secretary,  upon  receiving  notice 
from  the  Attorney-General  of  the  LTnited  States  that  perfect  titles  have  been  secured 
to  the  said  lands  and  roads,  shall  at  once  proceed  to  establish  and  substantially  mark 
the  boundaries  of  the  said  park. 

Sec.  3.  That  the  affairs  of  the  Fort  Stevens  Lincoln  National  Park  shall,  subject  to 
the  supervision  and  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  be  in  charge  of  three  commis- 
sioners, one  of  whom  shall  have  been  an  officer  of  the  Army  on  duty  in  the  War 
Department  at  the  time  of  the  battle,  and  the  other  two  shall  be  officers  ^\■ho  shall 
have  actually  participated  in  the  battle  of  Fort  Stevens,  all  three  to  l^e  appointed  by 
the  Secretary  of  War;  and,  in  addition,  there  shall  be  detailed  by  the  Secretary  of 
War  from  among  those  officers  best  acquainted  with  the  details  of  the  battle  of  Fort 
Stevens  one  who  shall  act  as  secretary  of  the  commission.  The  said  commissioners 
and  secretary  shall  have  an  office  in  the  War  Department  building,  and  while  on 
actual  duty  shall  be  paid  such  compensation  out  of  the  appropriation  provided  in 
this  act  as  the  Secretary  of  AVar  shall  deem  reasonable  and  just. 

Sec.  4.  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  commissioners  named  in  the  preceding 
section,  under  the  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  to  superintend  the  opening  of 
such  roads  as  may  be  necessary  to  the  purposes  of  the  park  and  the  repair  of  the 
roads  of  the  same,  and  to  ascertain  and  definitely  mark  the  lines  of  battle  of  all 
troops  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Fort  Stevens  and  points  of  historic  interest  connected 
with  the  fortification  or  defenses  of  the  national  capital  during  the  civil  war,  so  fai 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  19 

as  the  same  shall  fall  within  the  lines  of  the  park  as  defined  in  the  previous  section 
of  this  act,  or  so  far  as  said  lines  of  battle  or  points  of  historic  interest  may  be  located 
upon  any  park,  reservation,  street  or  public  highway,  or  other  land  now  belonging 
to,  or  hereafter  to  be  acquired  by,  the  United  States  or  the  District  of  Columbia  and 
situated  within  the  District  of  Columbia;  and,  for  the  purpose  of  assisting  the  said 
commissioners  in  their  duty  and  in  ascertaining  these  lines  and  points  of  historic 
interest,  the  Secretary  of  War  shall  have  authority  to  employ,  at  such  compensation 
as  he  ma}' deem  reasonable  and  just,  to  be  paid  out  of  the  appropriation  made  by 
this  act,  some  person  recognized  as  well  informed  in  regard  to  the  details  of  the 
battle  of  Fort  Stevens,  and  who  shall  have  actually  participated  in  said  battle,  and  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  from  and  after  the  passage  of  this  act, 
through  the  commissioners  and  their  assistant  in  historical  work,  and  under  the  pro- 
visions of  the  aforesaid  acts  regulating  the  condemnation  of  land  for  pu1)lic  uses,  to 
proceed  with  the  preliminary  work  of  establishing  the  park  and  its  approaches  as  the 
same  are  defined  in  this  act,  and  the  expenses  thus  incurred  shall  be  paid  out  of  the 
appropriation  provided  by  this  act. 

Sec.  5.  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  conmiissioners,  acting  under  the  direction 
of  the  Secretary  of  War,  to  ascertain  and  substantially  mark  the  locations  of  the  reg- 
ular troops,  both  infantry,  cavalry,  and  artillery,  within  the  boundaries  of  the  park, 
and  also  the  location  where  President  Lincoln  stood  during  the  battle,  and  to  erect 
monuments  upon  these  positions  as  Congress  may  provide  in  the  necessary  appropri- 
ations; and  the  Secretary  of  War  in  the  same  way  may  ascertain  and  mark  the  lines 
of  battle  within  the  boundaries  of  the  park  and  erect  plain  and  substantial  historical 
tablets  at  such  points  in  the  vicinity  of  the  park  and  its  approaches  as  he  may  deem 
fitting  and  necessary  to  clearly  designate  the  positions  and  movements  which, 
although  without  the  limits  of  the  j^ark,  were  directly  connected  with  the  battle  of 
Fort  Stevens. 

Sec.  6.  That  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  authorities  of  any  State  having  troops  engaged 
in  the  battle  of  Fort  Stevens  to  enter  upon  the  lands  and  approaches  of  the  Fort 
Stevens  Lincoln  National  Park  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  and  marking  the  lines 
of  battle  of  troops  engaged  therein:  Provided,  That  before  any  such  lines  are  perma- 
nently designated  the  positions  of  the  lines  and  the  projiosed  methods  of  marking 
them,  by  monuments,  tablets,  or  otherwise,  shall  be  submitted  to  the  Secretary  of 
War  and  shall  first  receive  the  written  approval  of  the  Secretary,  which  approval 
shall  be  based  upon  formal  written  reports,  which  must  be  made  to  him  in  each  case 
by  the  commissioners  of  the  park. 

Sec.  7.  That  the  Secretary  of  War,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  shall  have  the  power  to  make  and  shall  make  all  needed  regulations 
for  the  care  of  the  park  and  for  the  establishment  and  marking  of  the  lines  of  battle 
and  other  historical  features  of  the  park. 

Sec.  8.  That  if  any  person  shall  willfully  destroy,  nmtilate,  deface,  injure,  or  remove 
any  monument,  columns,  statues,  memorial  structures,  or  work  of  art  that  shall  be 
erected  or  placed  upon  the  grounds  of  the  park  by  lawful  authority,  or  shall  willfully 
destroy  or  remove  any  fence,  railing,  inclosure,  or  other  work  for  the  protection  or 
ornament  of  said  park,  or  any  portion  thereof,  or  shall  willfully  destroy,  cut  down, 
hack,  bark,  break  down,  or  otherwise  injure  any  tree,  bush,  or  shrubbery  that  may 
be  growing  upon  said  joark,  or  shall  cut  down,  fell,  or  remove  any  timber,  battle 
relic,  tree,  or  trees  growing  or  being  upon  such  park,  except  by  permission  of  the 
Secretary  of  War,  or  shall  willfully  remove  or  destroy  any  breastwork,  earthwork, 
walls,  or  other  defenses  or  shelter,  or  any  part  thereof,  constructed  by  the  troops 
formerly  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Fort  Stevens,  or  the  approa(;hes  to  the  park  under 
the  authority  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  any  person  so  offending  or  found  guilty  thereof 
by  the  police  court  of  the  District  of  Columbia  shall,  for  each  and  every  such  offense, 
forfeit  and  pay  a  fine,  in  the  discretion  of  the  judge,  in  accordance  with  the  aggrava- 


20 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


tion  of  the  offense,  of  not  less  than  five  nor  more  than  fifty  dollars,  one  half  to  the 
use  of  the  park  and  the  other  half  to  the  informer,  to  be  enforced  and  recovered 
before  said  court  in  like  manner  aa  other  offenses  committed  against  the  United 
States. 

Sec.  9.  That  to  enable  the  Secretary  of  War  to  begin  to  carry  out  the  purpose  of 
this  act,  including  the  condemnation  and  purchase  of  the  necessary  land,  marking 
the  boundaries  of  the  park,  opening  or  repairing  necessary  roads,  making  maps  and 
surveys,  and  the  pay  and  expenses  of  the  commissioners  and  their  assistants,  the 
sum  of  seventy-five  thousand  dollars,  or  such  portion  thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  is 
hereby  appropriated,  out  of  any  moneys  in  the  Treasury  not  otherwise  approi^riated, 
and  disbursements  under  this  act  shall  require  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  War, 
and  he  shall  make  annual  report  of  the  same  to  Congress. 

The  United  States  or  the  District  of  Columbia  already  have  holdings 
covering  one-half  of  the  Federal  line  between  Fort  Reno  and  Fort 
Totten,  to  wit:  (1)  Fort  Reno,  now  a  reservoir;  (2)  a  school  lot  near 
Connecticut  avenue  extended,  in  which  the  old  earthworks  still  stand; 
(3)  Rock  Creek  Park,  containing  Fort  De  Russy,  Battery  Kingsbury, 
a  couple  of  batteries  near  the  creek,  and  several  hundred  yards  of  rifle 
pits,  all  in  good  preservation;  (4)  Battle-Ground  National  Cemetery, 
near  Brightwood,  where  are  buried  40  Union  soldiers  killed  in  battle 
at  and  near  the  site  of  the  cemetery,  as  follows: 

ROLL   OF    HONOR. 


The  following  c-omrades,  killed  in  action  on  July  11  and  12,  1864,  are  buried  in 
Battle-Ground  Cemetery: 


Regiment. 


Sergt.  Thomas  Richardson 

Sergt.  Alfred  C.  Starbird I 

Elijah  S.  Hufletin VTwenty-flf th  New  York  Cavalry. 

Jeremiah  Maloney 

William  Tray J 

E.  C.  Barrett |  Fortieth  New  York  Infantry. 

E.  S.  Bavett 1 

John  Davidson 

Mathew  J.  De  Grafif ^Forty-third  New  York  Infantry. 

G.  W.  Farrar 

Mark  Stoneham j 

Wm.  H.  Gillette Forty-ninth  New  York  Infantry. 

Corpl.  A.  Matott ] 

Corpl.  William  Ruhle : 

Andrew  J.  Dowen i  [-Seventy -seventh  New  York  Infantry. 

Andrew  Manning 

Alvarado  Mowrey 

John  Bentley 

Harvey  I".  B.  Chandler 

Daniel  L.  Hogeboon 

Alanson  Mosier 

John  Renia 

Lioit.  William  Laughlin 

Andrew  Ashbaugh 

Philip  Bowen 

John  Ellis 

George  Garvin 

H.  INIcIntire 

William  Holtzman 

Sergt.  Gei  irge  Marciuet 

Bernard  Horrle 

Charles  Seahiiuse 

Frederick  Waltlier 

Sergt.  John  M.  Richards 

John  Dolan 

Patrick  Lovett 

John  Pockett 

Corpl.  George  VV.  Gorton 

Russell  L.  Stevens 

C.  S.  Christ 


^One  hundred  and  twenty-second  New  York  Infantry. 


Isixty-first  Pennsylvania  Infantry. 


Ninetv-third  Pennsvlvania  Infantry. 


Ninety-eighth  Pennsylvania  Infantry. 


One  hundred  and  thirty-ninth  Pennsylvania  Infantry. 

Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry. 

Thirty-seventh  Massachusetts"  Infantry. 

Seventh  Maine  Infaulry. 

First  Rhode  Island  Cavalry. 

Third  Vermont  Infantry. 

Second  United  States  Artillery. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  21 

The  plan  proposed  i«  to  acquire  about  23  acres  of  ground,  to  include 
(1)  old  Fort  Stevens,  where  Lincoln  was  under  fire;  (2)  a  square  of 
wooded  ground  east  of  Brightwood  avenue,  where  a  portion  of  the 
First  Ohio  Batter}^  was  stationed,  and  (3)  Fort  Totten,  the  right  of  the 
Federal  line  in  the  engagements  that  took  place  in  July,  1864,  when 
General  Earl}"  came  so  near  capturing  Washington.  A  boulevard, 
much  like  that  suggested  by  Major  Powell  a  few  years  ago,  can  easil}' 
be  made  on  natural  and  proper  topographical  lines  between  the  points 
mentioned,  passing  through  a  countr}^  the  most  interesting  historically 
and  beautiful  beyond  compare  and  covering  the  entire  line  of  battle. 
This  boulevard  should  be  extended  to  the  Anacostia  River,  where 
Joshua  Barney  planted  his  guns  in  1811:  and  for  a  time  held  the  British 
in  check  in  their  campaign  against  Washington. 

I  respectfully  suggest  that  it  might  be  well  to  ask  Mr.  John  Jo}^ 
Edson,  president,  and  Mr.  Theodore  W.  Noj^es,  ex-president  of  the 
board  of  trade;  the  members  of  the  board's  committee  on  parks  and 
reservations;  Capt.  Henry  B.  Looker,  surveyor  of  the  District;  Mr. 
W.  P.  Richards,  of  the  District  engineer  office,  and  Gen.  Thomas  M. 
Vincent,  president  of  the  Fort  Stevens-Lincoln  Battlefield  Park  Asso- 
ciation, to  appear  before  your  committee. 

In  this  connection  I  respectfully  call  attention  to  the  report  on  the 
National  Capital  Centennial. 

I  take  this  opportunity  to  again  thank  you  and  Dr.  Moore  for  your 
great  interest  in  the  development  not  only  of  the  District  but  of  its 
park  system  commensurate  with  the  needs  of  the  capital  of  the 
nation. 

I  am,  sir,  yours,  verv  respectfully 

W.  V.  Cox. 

Hon.  James  McMillan, 

('Jul)  Tin  a  11^  etc.^   United  States  Senate, 

Wasldngton  City. 

(Four  maps  inclosed.) 


SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS.  NO.  2. 


ACTION  TOWARD  THE  ESTABLISHMENT  OF  AN 
ARBORETUM. 


Makch  28,  1901. — Printed  for  the  use  of  the  committee. 


AVashington,  March  ^^,  1901. 
Hon.  James  McMillan, 

Chairman  of  Committee  on  the  District  of  Columhia, 

United  States  Senate^   Washington,  D.  6*. 

Dear  Sir:  In  the  fear  that  the  matter  has  not  suggested  itsell  I 
take  the  liberty  of  calling  yowx  attention  and,  through  3^^011,  the  atten- 
tion of  the  subcommittee  of  the  committee  of  the  Senate  on  the  District 
of  Columbia  having  under  consideration  the  parking  system  of  the 
District  to  a  matter  in  connection  with  the  parks  that  might,  if  prop- 
erly worked  out,  prove  of  considerable  importance  to  the  people  not 
only  of  this  District  but  of  the  whole  countiy.  I  refer  to  the  S3"stem- 
atic  planting  of  the  parks,  when  laid  out,  with  such  trees  and  shrubs, 
from  all  parts  of  the  world,  as  will  thrive  in  this  climate,  and  the 
proper  labeling  of  them  when  planted. 

This  matter  has  been  brought  forward,  as  you  are  probabl}"  aware, 
for  the  consideration  of  Congress  a  number  of  times  in  the  past 
century,  the  latest  effort  being  that  of  the  honorable  Secretary  of 
Agriculture,  who,  in  his  annual  report  for  1899,  pages  63  and  64, 
recommended  the  establishment  of  an  arboretum  containing  useful 
trees,  such  as  those  producing  fruits,  d3^es,  nuts,  oils,  and  tans,  and 
those  useful  for  ornamental  purposes  and  for  shade,  shelter,  and  fuel 
in  arid  regions,  from  all  parts  of  the  world,  for  the  use  of  that 
Department  on  the  Mall,  in  this  city. 

Shortly  after  the  publication  of  this  report  the  matter  was  brought 
to  my  attention  1>y  Mr.  Frederick  V.  Coville,  botanist  of  the  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture,  with  a  view  to  having  the  matter  laid  before  the 
Washington  Board  of  Trade  for  its  indorsement.  L  hand  you  here- 
with copy  of  the  letter  of  Mr.  Coville,  the  extract  from  the  annual 
report  of  the  honorable   Secretary   of  Agriculture,  and  such  corre- 

23 


24  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

spondence  between  myself,  ai-ting  for  the  Washington  Board  of  Trade, 
and  the  officials  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  a  copy  of  the  reso- 
lutions of  the  board  of  trade  indorsing  the  project,  and  a  copy  of  an 
article  on  the  general  subject,  written  by  myself,  in  regard  to  the  mat- 
ter, that  appeared  in  the  Evening  Star  of  December  16,  1899,  all  of 
which  I  hope  will  not  be  found  too  voluminous  for  j^our  perusal. 

The  matter  of  labeling  the  trees  and  shrubs  now  in  the  parks  and 
reservations  has  been  allowed  to  slumber  until  the  Department  of 
Agriculture  could  see  its  way  clear  to  the  marking  of  the  trees  and 
shrubs  in  its  own  grounds  with  their  correct  common  and  botanical 
names,  habitat,  etc.,  in  order  that  the  work  might  be  begun  under 
proper  supervision  and  in  a  scientific  manner.  This,  I  am  assured, 
will  soon  be  accomplished,  and  when  done  will,  we  are  in  hopes,  serve 
as  a  nucleus  for  the  greater  tree  garden  desired,  as  well  as  an  argu- 
ment for  the  extension  of  the  work  to  all  of  our  parks  and  reservations. 

Should  the  systematic  planting  of  the  riverside  parks,  the  lower 
parts  of  the  Arlington  estate,  lately  turned  over  to  the  use  of  the 
Agricultural  Department,  and  all  the  lands  not  wooded  that  may  be 
taken  into  the  park  system  of  the  District  be  decided  upon  in  advance 
by  competent  authority,  it  would  appear  that  with  but  slight  changes 
in  the  parks  already  planted  a  magnificent  arboretum,  containing  all 
of  the  trees  and  shrubs  of  the  world  that  will  grow  in  this  climate, 
might  be  formed  at  comparatively  small  expense.  This  could  all,  I 
feel  sure,  be  accomplished  without  sacrificing  in  an}"  way  whatever 
perspective,  picturesqueness,  or  beauty,  so  essential  to  the  success  of 
any  parking  system.  The  Department  of  Agriculture  has  every  facil- 
ity at  hand  for  the  gathering  together  of  the  necessary  plants  from 
this  and  foreign  countries  for  the  purpose,  and  the  expert  knowledge 
to  plant,  care  for,  and  name  them  when  obtained. 

If  this  matter  could  be  taken  up  and  decided  upon  in  advance,  the 
trees  and  shrubs  could  be  obtained  and  kept  in  nursery  ready  for  use 
as  soon  as  the  landscape  architect  had  the  grounds  laid  out  for  their 
reception. 

Yours,  sincerely, 

Albert  M.  Read, 
Metiihr  of  tJtf:-  Committee  on  Parks  and  Reservations^ 

Washington  Board  of  Trade. 


U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture, 

Washington,  D.  C,  Deceinher  9,  1S99. 
]Mr.  Albert  M.  Read, 

America)!  Security  and  Trust  Convpany, 

Washington,  D.   C. 
Dear  Sir:  In  accordance  with  a  siiggestion  made  to  Col.  Henry  F. 
Blount  yesterday,  I  take  pleasure  in  sending  you  a  copy  of  Secretar}" 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


25 


Wilson's  annual  report,  which  has  recently  been  issued.  On  pages  63 
and  64  is  his  statement  regarding  an  arboretum,  which,  as  you  will  note, 
is  made  chietly  from  an  agricultural  standpoint.  I  believe  that  as  an 
educational  institution  an  arboretum  of  this  sort  would  be  enormously 
useful.  It  costs  little  more  to  grow  10  trees  each  of  10  different  kinds 
of  maples  than  to  grow  a  hundred  trees  of  silver  maple.  It  w^ould  cost 
little  more  to  have  in  some  one  place  in  the  Mall  a  complete  collection 
of  hardy  Japanese  trees  than  to  grow  a  large  mass  of  Noi'way  maples. 
Educationally,  however,  the  two  plans  are  incomparable.  Mr.  Blount 
has  told  me  of  your  interest  in  trees,  and  I  trust  that  I  shall  have  an 
opportunity  before  long  to  talk  over  with  j^ou  the  matter  of  an  arbore- 
tum for  the  District  of  Columbia. 

Very  truly,  3^ours,  Frederick  V.  Covili.e, 

Botmvwt. 


PROPOSED    ARBORETUM. 

[From  Report  of  Secretary  ol'  AKrifnilture,  1S99.] 

One  of  the  needs  of  the  Department  is  an  arV>oretum  in  which  can 
be  brought  together  for  study  all  the  trees  that  will  grow  in  the 
climate  of  Washington.  The  need  of  such  an  esta])lishment  was  felt 
earl}'  in  the  history  of  the  capital  and  was  brought  forward  more  than 
fifty  3'ears  ago  among  the  various  plans  proposed  for  the  use  of  the 
Smithson  bequest,  which  was  finally  devoted  to  the  founding  of  the 
present  Smithsonian  Institution.  In  the  report  of  the  building  com- 
mittee of  that  institution  for  1850  the  following  statement  occurs: 

Mr.  Downing,  the  well-known  writer  on  rural  architecture,  at  the  request  of  the 
President,  is  now  preparing  a  plan  for  converting  the  whole  Mall,  including  the 
Smithsonian  grounds,  into  an  extended  landscape  garden,  to  be  traversed  in  different 
directions  by  graveled  walks  and  carriage  drives  and  planted  with  specimens, 
properly  labeled,  of  all  the  varieties  of  trees  and  shrubs  which  will  flourish  in  this 
climate. 

This  admirable  plan,  apparently  from  lack  of  financial  support  from 
Congress,  was  never  sj^stematically  prosecuted,  and  the  plantings  at 
first  made  were  so  neglected  that  the  nurse  trees  themselves  are  now 
being  rapidly  broken  down  and  destroyed  by  storm,  disease,  and  decay. 
When  the  grounds  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  were  laid  out,  in 
1868,  Mr.  William  Saunders,  then,  as  now,  horticulturist  of  the  Depart- 
ment, established  a  small  arboretum  commensurate  with  the  size  of  the 
grounds.  An  arboretum  in  this  climate,  however,  requires  an  area  of 
several  hundred  acres.  The  time  has  come  when  the  economic  needs 
of  the  Department  and  the  education  and  pleasure  of  the  people  demand 
a  rich  collection  of  trees  planted  so  as  to  secure  the  best  etfects  of 
landscape  art,  furnishing  complete  materials  for  the  investigations  of 


26 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTKICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


the  Department  of  Ag-riciilture,  and  so  managed  as  to  ho.  a  perennial 
means  of  botanical  education.  We  are  now  engaged  in  introducing 
useful  trees  from  all  parts  of  the  world,  such  as  those  producing  fruits, 
dyes,  inits,  oils,  and  tans,  those  useful  for  ornamental  purposes,  and, 
especially  those  promising  shade,  shelter,  and  fuel  in  the  arid  region. 
At  the  present  time  we  have  no  central  place  in  which  to  plant  and 
maintain  a  series  of  these  trees  for  study  and  propagation.  The  impor- 
tations must  be  sent  out  as  fast  as  they  are  received,  Ayithout  any 
opportunity  for  our  investigators  to  make  any  observations  on  their 
behavior  under  cultivation,  and  in  the  case  of  small  and  valualile 
importations  subjecting  the  whole  stock  to  the  possibilit}"  of  total  loss. 
In  view  of  these  conditions,  I  wish  to  bring  to  the  attention  of  Con- 
gress the  importance  of  placing  at  the  disposal  of  this  Department  an 
area  of  suitable  size  and  situation  for  a  comprehensive  arboretum.  In 
order  to  give  a  specific  basis  for  consideration  of  this  project,  I  sugg'est 
that  the  area  known  as  the  Mall  be  set  aside  for  this  purpose. 


December  13,  1899. 
Mr.  Frederick  K.  Coville, 

Botanist,  Department  of  Agricidtiire . 

Mt  Dear  Mr.  Coville:  Your  favor  of  the  9th  instant,  together 
with  a  copy  of  Secretar}^  Wilson's  annual  report,  referred  to  therein, 
reached  me  in  due  course  of  mail.  I  have  read  with  a  great  deal  of 
interest  the  recommendation  of  Secretary  Wilson  in  regard  to  the 
establishment  of  an  arboretum  on  the  Mall,  as  well  as  what  you  saj^  in 
regard  to  the  educational  value  of  such  an  institution.  I  think  I  can 
safely  assure  you  that  the  committee  on  parks  and  reservations  of  the 
board  of  trade  of  this  city  will  do  everything  in  its  power  to  forward 
the  proposed  improvement  of  the  Mall.  I  think  it  goes  without  say- 
ing that  every  citizen  of  the  District  would,  if  rightly  approached,  aid 
the  subject. 

Is  it  not,  however,  true  that  you  have  in  existence  at  the  present 
time  in  the  tract  of  land  embraced  in  what  is  called  the  Mall  as  good, 
if  not  a  better,  variety  of  trees,  especiall}"  of  a  deciduous  character, 
than  many  of  the  arboreta  of  sister  cities,  lacking  only  one  element, 
that  of  a  tongue  to  make  them  known  to  the  people  'i  Please  allow  me 
to  suggest  that  the  very  best  argument  to  the  Congress  of  the-United 
States  in  favor  of  the  thing  that  Secretary  Wilson  wishes  to  bring- 
about  would  be  the  labeling  of  such  trees  and  shrubs  as  are  already 
planted  and  in  fine  growing  condition  in  the  Department  grounds  or 
elsewhere  in  the  Mall  if  the  Secretary  has  sufficient  authority  therefor. 
This,  with  the  force  he  has  in  hand,  should  cost  but  a  small  sum,  and 
would,  I  think,  place  the  Department  in  ti  strong  position  before  the 
Congressional  committees. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  27 

In  case  the  matter  gets  into  legislation,  as  I  have  no  doubt  it  will  if 
we  all  work  together  for  that  end,  would  it  not  be  better  to  provide 
that  the  projected  arboretum  be  extended  to  the  reclaimed  flats  of  the 
Potomac,  or  at  least  its  planting  be  given  directly  to  j^our  Department? 
I  should  be  ver}^  glad  to  call  on  you  at  the  Department  at  any  time 
3^ou  may  designate  oi'  to  have  you  call  upon  me  at  my  office  at  your 
pleasure,  when  we  can  talk  over  the  matter  and  arrange  plan  of  cam- 
paign, if,  after  conference,  it  is  thought  desirable. 
Yours,  trulj% 

Albert  M.  Read, 

General  Manager. 


January  24,  1900. 
Hon.  James  Wilson, 

Secretary  of  Agriculture.,  Washington.,  I).  C 
Dear  Sir:  I  hand  you  herewith  a  cop}^  certifying  to  the  action  of 
the  board  of  trade,  at  its  regular  meeting  on  the  19th  instant,  on  your 
recommendation  to  Congress  for  the  establishment  of  an  arhoretum, 
in  which  can  be  brought  together  for  stud}"  all  the  trees  that  will  grow 
in  the  climate  of  Washington. 

You  will  see  by  the  resolution  that  the  board  of  trade  is  heartilj^  in 
accord  with  3^our  recommendation,  and  that  it  has  instructed  its  com- 
mittee on  parks  and  reservations  to  earnestly  cooperate  with  your 
Department  in  the  establishment  of  this  important  public  improve- 
ment. In  carrying  out  this  direction  of  the  board  the  committee  on 
parks  and  reservations  has  turned  the  matter  over  to  me,  as  a  sub- 
committee, to  And  out  your  wishes  in  regard  to  the  matter  and  to 
make  such  arrangements  for  the  furtherance  of  the  project  as  will  be 
agreeable  to  you.  I  have  therefore  the  honor  to  hold  myself  in  readi- 
ness, at  an}"  time  or  place  that  you  may  suggest,  to  take  this  matter 
up  with  a  representative  or  representatives  of  your  Department,  to  the 
end  that  we  may  speedily  arrive  at  some  conclusion  as  to  what  is  desired 
and  how  best  to  attain  the  object  sought. 

Hoping,  therefore,  that  the  matter  may  be  given  your  immediate 
consideration,  I  am. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

Albert  M.  Read, 
Meagher  of  tkmimittee  on  Parks  and  Reservations^ 

Washington  Board  of  Trade. 


[Adopted  iit  a  meeting  of  the  Washington  Board  of  Trade,  held  January  19,  1900.] 

Whereas  the  honorable  Secretary  of  Agriculture  has,  in  his  annual  report,  called 
the  attention  of  Congress  to  the  importance  to  the  Department  of  Agriculture  of  an 
arboretum,  in  which  can  be  brought  together  for  study  all  the  trees  that  will  grow 


28 


PAKK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OP    COLUMBIA. 


in  the  climate  of  Washington,  and  suggested  that  the  area  known  as  the  "  Mall"  be 
set  aside  for  that  jjurpose:  Therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  recognizing  the  great  benefits  that  would  accrue  to  the  scientific 
and  educational  interests  of  our  country  and  its  capital  by  the  planting  o^  such  an 
arboretum  as  is  contemplated,  the  board  of  trade,  in  public  meeting  assembled, 
approves  the  project. 

Be.  it  further  resolved,  That  the  committee  on  parks  and  reservations  of  this  board 
is  hereby  instructed  to  earnestly  cooperate  with  the  Department  of  Agriculture  in 
securing  the  establishment  of  this  important  public  improvement  in  such  park  or 
parks  in  the  District  of  Columbia  as  may  be  decided  upon  as  most  suitable  for  that 
purpose. 


United  States  Department  of  Agriculture, 

Office  of  the  Secretary, 

Washington^  D.  C. ,  January  29,  1900. 
Mr.  Albert  M.  Read, 

WasJdngton,  D.  C. 
Dear  Sir:  I  have  your  letter  of  the  24th,  inclosing-  cop}"  of  the 
board  of  trade's  resolution  on  the  subject  of  an  arboretum  in  Wash- 
ington. I  am  pleased  to  note  the  board's  interest  in  this  matter,  and 
suggest  that  you  discuss  details  with  Prof.  F.  V.  Coville,  Chief  Bot- 
anist of  this  Department,  to  whom  3^our  letter  has  been  referred. 
Verj"  truly,  yours, 

James  Wilson,  Secretary. 


LETTER   TO    THE    WASHINGTON    EVENING    STAR. 

Editor  Evening  Star:  How  many  readers  of  your  bright  evening 
luminar\",  do  you  suppose,  are  familiar  with  the  names  of  the  beauti- 
ful trees  under  whose  grateful  shade  they  walk  to  and  fro  to  their  daily 
vocation  for  one-half  the  year? 

How  man}^  of  our  city  residents,  do  you  suppose,  know  the  common 
or  botanical  name  of  the  tree  that  so  refreshingly  shades  their  door- 
step from  the  fervent  heat  of  the  sun  during  our  subtropical  summers? 

Is  it  not  a  fact  that  we  teach  our  children  in  the  public  schools  a  cer- 
tain amount  of  botany  and  then  neglect  to  open  up  to  them  the  more 
practical  study  of  this  science  by  placing  before  them  in  their  daily 
walks  the  knowledge  of  the  trees  and  shrul)s  and  tlowers  so  lavishl}" 
displayed  in  our  streets  and  parks?  This  neglect  of  a  very  important 
adjunct  to  the  education  of  our  people  was  very  strongly  called  to  my 
attention  during  a  recent  visit  to  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  where, 
observing  a  strange  tree  in  the  streets,  I  tried  in  vain  from  car  con- 
ductor, from  fire  laddie  sitting  under  its  shade,  and  from  occupants  of 
houses  on  the  streets  which  it  adorned  to  learn  its  name.  Worse,  I 
think,  than  the  ignorance  of  these  people  of  the  common  name  of  this 


PAKK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  29 

common  everyday  friend  was  the  look  of  astonishment  that  crept  into 
their  faces  when  the  question  was  asked — a  look  that  said  but  too 
plainly  that  the  idea  of  a  name  to  the  tree  had  never  even  suggested 
itself. 

This,  I  fear,  is  a  condition  of  many  minds  in  our  own  community. 
It  is  the  condition  of  mind  that  we  so  wonder  at  in  the  farmer,  who, 
seeing  birds  all  his  life,  is  satisfied  to  think  of  them  as  birds,  without 
taking  the  trouble  to  diflerentiate  them  one  from  the  other.  Is  it  not 
strange  that  we,  who  require  a  handle  that  our  minds  mav  lay  hold 
upon  for  every  man,  woman,  and  child,  ever}'^  dog  and  horse  that  we 
love  or  have  contact  with,  should  remain  content  to  designate  the 
man}^  beautiful  varieties  of  trees  and  shrubs  with  a  general  name 
common  to  all  \  Does  it  not  indicate  that  our  minds  are  as  a  farmer's 
mind — with  him  a  bird,  with  us  a  tree? 

A  primrose  by  the  river's  brim 

A  yellow  primrose  was  to  him, 

And  it  was  nothing  more. 

In  him  we  wisel}^  attribute  it  to  a  lack  of  appreciation.  Are  we  not, 
then,  open  to  the  same  charge  when  we,  through  want  of  the  proper 
words,  are  compelled  to  refer  to  flowering  shrubs  or  trees  as  that 
bush  in  Iowa  Circle  with  beautiful  yellow  flowers  or  that  tree  on  Six- 
teenth street  with  cup-shaped  blossoms  \  Can  we  show  full  apprecia- 
tion of  anything  that,  through  our  limitations  of  language,  we  are 
unable  to  converse  intelligently  about  with  our  neighbors  ? 

But  there  is  no  good  reason  wh}^  our  trees  and  shrubs  and  flowers 
should  be  unknown  to  us,  who  own  them,  or  to  the  stranger  within 
our  gates.  Let  us  but  demand  of  our  legislators  that  thej"  be  introduced 
to  us  by  neat  signs,  showing  both  the  common  and  the  botanical  name, 
and  if  the  demand  is  made  rightly  it  will  surel}^  be  acceded  to. 

The  Botanic  Garden  does  at  present,  in  a  half-hearted  way,  name 
its  plants  with  wooden  tags  and  stakes,  and  the  extension  of  their  S3^s- 
tem,  in  a  whole-hearted  wa}",  through  the  Mall  could  be  arranged  with 
comparative!}"  little  cost.  The  Agricultural  Department  prints  +'or 
the  good  of  farmers  costl}"  bulletins  on  forestry  and  then  neglects 
to  give  tongue  to  its  magnificent  collection  of  deciduous  and  evergreen 
trees.  Think  of  that  fine  grove  of  oaks,  made  up  of  many  varieties, 
in  the  west  side  of  its  grounds,  growing  up  stately,  beautiful  trees, 
without  any  in  the  city  but  a  few  specialists  able  to  name  them.  Much 
use  to  write  learned  dissertations  on  trees  for  the  unlearned  and  ignore 
the  kindergarten  collection  at  the  seat  of  the  Government,  seen  of  all 
men,  where  the  word  and  the  thing  can  be  so  easily  brought  together, 
ready  for  assimilation  b}"  the  mind,  and  thus  become  a  basic  fact  from 
which  it  can  raise  to  further  knowledge — further  pleasures. 

The  present  condition  of  nameless  trees  and  unknown  plants  is 
before  long,  we  hope,  to  be  replaced  by  a  system  of  markings  that 


30  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

will  put  the  whole  cit}^  en  rapport  with  its  chiefest  charm — the  trees 
and  plants  that  adorn  its  streets  and  parks.  The  committee  on  parks 
of  the  board  of  trade  are  taking-  the  matter  up  with  vigor  and  are 
meeting-  with  such  encouragement  from  the  various  departments  in 
control  that  there  appears  no  prospect  that  does  not  look  forward 
toward  success. 

Yours,  truly,  Albert  M.  Read. 


SENATE    COMMITTEE    ON    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS,  NO.  3. 


THE  NEED  OF  ADDITIONAL  PLAYGROUNDS,  PARKS,  AND 
RESERVATIONS. 


March  27,  1901. — Printed  for  the  use  of  the  committee. 
November  23,  1901. — Reprinted  with  additions  III,  IV,  and  V. 


I. 

STATEMENT    OF   THE    COLUMBIA    HEIGHTS    CITIZENS'  ASSOCIATION. 

Washington,  March  26,  1901. 

Gentlemen:  Next  in  importance  to  the  playgrounds  around  the 
public  schoolhouses  are  the  parks  and  reservations,  the  breathing 
plaices  and  resting  places  for  the  people  of  the  city.  Indeed,  there  is 
much  reason  to  think  that  the  j)arks  hold  the  first  place,  since  the 
little  children  are  to  get  the  benefits  of  the  parks  before  they  are  old 
enough  to  attend  the  schools.  The  founders  of  Washington  made 
its  parking  a  controlling  feature  in  their  plans,  and  public  opinion, 
gathering  force  with  tlie  lapse  of  time,  has  set  the  seal  of  universal 
approval  upon  it.  But  as  the  city  has  spread  out  beyond  its  original 
boundaries  it  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  a  similar  foresight  should 
not  have  been  shown  in  respect  to  park  spaces  and  reservations  in 
the  new  portions  of  the  city. 

This  Avas  recognized  'by  Congress  in  framing  the  highway  extension 
act.  Section  2  of  that  act  i3rovided  that  in  making  maps  for  such 
extension  the  Commissioners  were  authorized  "  to  lay  out  at  the  inter- 
section of  the  principal  avenues  and  the  streets  thereof  circles  or  otlier 
reservations  corresponding  in  number  and  dimensions  with  those  now 
existing  at  such  intersections  in  the  city  proper." 

Familiar  as  most  Washingtoniaus  are  with  the  ground  plan  of  the 
city,  it  is  proljable  that  only  a  limited  few  appreciate  the  bountiful 
provisions  for  its  parks  and  reservations.  The  annual  report  of  the 
superintendent  of  pu])lic  buildings  and  grounds  for  the  jqhv  1894 
enables  me  to  sa}^  that  these  i);irks  are  301  in  number,  var3'ing  in  size 
from  a  few  hundred  square  feet  to  82  acres,  and  the  total  ai-ea  coA^ered 
by  them,  is  405  acres. 

These   are  south  of   Florida  avenue;    upon   the  heights  nortli  of 

Florida  avenue  is  a  plateau  large  enough  to  comfortably  house  200,000 

31 


32 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


poi3iilatioii,  laid  out  iu  streets  and  building  lots  without  a  single  park 
or  reservation.  All  the  fine  oak  trees  which  nature  has  so  lavishly 
supplied  to  that  section  are  to  be  cleared  away  to  make  room  for 
streets  and  buildings.  This  condition  was  during  the  year  1899 
brought  to  the  attention  of  the  District  Commissioners  by  a  committee 
from  the  Columbia  Heights  Citizens'  Association,  who  fortunately  found 
those  gentlemen  appreciative  and  kindly  disposed.  To  their  active 
support,  seconded  by  the  board  of  trade,  is  due  the  incorporation  of 
a  provision  in  the  amended  bill  for  the  highway  extension  act  for  two 
small  parks,  one  at  the  corner  of  Fourteenth  street  and  Columbia  road, 
and  the  other  at  the  corner  of  Whitnej^  avenue  and  Sheridan  street. 
Here  was  a  distinct  and  notable  recognition  of  the  needs  of  this  sec- 
tion, and  it  gave  solid  ground  for  hope  tliat  both  these  parks  might 
be  realized.  But  the  final  repeal  of  all  the  sections  of  the  highway  act 
relating  to  the  territory  of  which  this  subdivision  forms  a  part  has, 
of  course,  cari'ied  along  with  it  all  hope  for  the  enactment  of  these 
provisions  relating  to  new  parks. 

The  instructions  of  Congress  to  the  Commissioners  contained  in  the 
highway  act  just  quoted,  although  not  necessary  to  fortify  the  posi- 
tions herein  taken,  are  a  significant  expression  of  the  principle  that 
the  inhabitants  of  Washington  north  of  Florida  avenue  are  justly 
entitled  to  equal  park  areas  with  those  living  south  of  that  avenue. 

In  order  to  ascertain  by  comparison  what  would  be  the  equal  pro- 
portion to  be  allotted  to  the  heights  north  of  that  avenue  let  us  take  a 
maj)  of  Washington  and  select  a  mile  square  in  any  thickly  settled 
IDortion  of  the  city,  not  including  any  of  the  large  parks,  like  the 
Executive,  Capitol,  Monument  Grounds,  the  Mall,  etc. 

I  have  taken  the  square  mile  bounded  north  by  T  street,  south  by  H 
street,  east  by  Seventh  street,  and  west  by  Eighteenth  street  NW. 
Computing  the  area  of  park  spaces  in  this  tract  I  find  it  aggregates  17 
acres  and  24,284  square  feet.  This  tract  includes  only  two  parks  of 
any  considerable  size,  to  wit.  Mount  Vernon  Square  and  Franklin 
Square,  and  these  are  by  no  means  to  be  classed  among  the  large  parks. 

Again,  taking  another  mile  square  to  the  eastward  of  the  Capitol, 
running  from  F  street  north  to  G  street  south  and  from  Second  to 
Fifteenth  streets,  the  park  spaces  in  this  tract  aggregate  14  acres  and 
28,401  square  feet.  That  these  are  not  specially  favored  localities  will 
appear  when  I  state  from  the  record  that  the  percentage  of  area  of 
reservations  to  the  whole  area  of  the  city,  exclusive  of  the  large  parks 
already  mentioned,  is  officially  declared  to  be  1.68  per  cent;  or, 
expressed  in  common  language,  these  reservations,  excluding  the  large 
parks,  if  equally  distributed  over  the  whole  surface  of  the  city,  would 
furnish  each  squai-e  mile  lOf  acres  of  parking. 

Including  now  the  large  reservations  and  distributing  them,  together 
with  the  small  ones  heretofore  mentioned,  equally  over  the  whole 
6,111  acres  comprised  in  the  city  limits,  and  each  square  mile  would 
receive  42.41  acres  of  park  area. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  33 

In  this  calcnlation  all  the  new  parks — Rock  Creek,  Potomac,  and 
the  Zoological — are  exclnded. 

From  such  data  alone  can  the  merit  of  the  claims  of  the  people  of 
Colnmbia  Heights  be  determined. 

While  it  wonld  he  unreasonable  to  expect  of  our  city  fathers  that 
they  should  rival  the  great  Washington  in  their  forecast  of  the  future 
of  the  capital  city,  it  surely  is  not  too  much  to  ask  that  they  should 
note  the  realization  of  his  ideals  as  time  and  labor  develop  them;  that 
they  should  mark,  for  examjale,  how,  in  spite  of  scant  apiDropriations 
by  Congress,  the  little  parks,  the  children  of  his  brain,  have  one  after 
another  in  successive  years  stepped  forth  from  heaps  of  rubbish  to 
reenforce  the  claims  of  Washington  to  be  accounted  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  cities  in  the  world. 

When  we  consider  and  note  the  ti^end  of  population  and  improve- 
ments toward  the  north  and  west,  it  is  impossible  to  doubt  that  cliildren 
are  now  living  who  will  see  the  center  of  population  shifted  to  the 
north  of  U  and  west  of  Fourteenth  street.  Long  before  that  time 
this  j)ark  question  for  the  heights  around  Washington  will  have 
assumed  an  importance  of  which  we  little  dream  at  this  time.  That 
the  territorj^  in  question,  extending  over  a  radius  of  a  half  mile  from 
the  junction  of  Fourteenth  street  and  Columbia  road,  is  soon  to  become 
densely  poi:)ulated  is  unquestionable.  The  ideas  of  tlie  first  settlers  in 
these  suburbs  that  the}'  were  to  be  occupied  by  cottages  set  in  si:)acious 
lawns  is  vanishing  under  the  shadows  of  six-story  apartment  houses. 
In  onl}"  a  few  years  the  40  and  50  foot  streets  will  be  diminished  in 
apparent  breadth  by  the  encroachment  of  tall  buildings,  and  then  tliis 
lack  of  provision  for  parks  will  be  more  apparent  and  seem  more 
deplorable. 

The  repeal  of  the  liighway  act  has  destroyed  all  hope  of  getting 
small  parks  laid  off  at  the  intersection  of  streets  and  avenues,  and  now 
nothing  remains  but  an  effort  to  secure  a  fair  equivalent  in  larger 
parks.  Adequate  provision  for  the  needs  of  that  section  would  require 
one  or  more  parks  of  the  size  of  Franklin  Square,  which  is  over  4 
acres.  The  square  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Columbia  road  and 
Fourteenth  street  seems  to  be  central,  and  peculiarly  favored  for  tiie 
purpose.  The  oak  grove  at  that  j)oint  is  a  remnant  of  the  primeval 
forest.  While  it  is  not  the  only  one,  it  is  one  of  the  largest  groups  of 
forest  trees  remaining  on  that  plateau,  and  it  represents  the  growth 
of  centuries.  A  park  of  a  little  less  than  4  acres  could  be  made  here 
by  exteriding  School  street  due  south  to  Columbia  road  (a  very  desir- 
able thing  in  itself)  and  condemning  all  east  of  that  line  in  square 
between  Kenesaw  avenue  and  Columbia  road. 

Alternative  sites  might  be  found  in  the  square  bounded  by  Eleventh, 

Thirteenth,   Dartmouth,  and  Whitney,   or  the   square  bounded  l)y 

Eleventh,  Thirteenth,  Whitney,  and  Lydecker.     Xeither  of  the  two 

latter  sites  would  be  as  large  as  would  be  desirable  nor  as  central  as 

p  I— uy 3 


34  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

the  first  named.     They  have,  however,  the  advantage  of  being  nnin- 
cumbered  by  any  considerable  buildings. 

Charles  S.  Bundy, 
Gilbert  M.  IIusted, 
Benj.  F.  Gibbs, 
Committee  on  Parks  of  the  Columbia  Heights  Citizens^  Association. 
lions.  James  McMillan, 

Jacob  II.  Gallinger,  and 
Thomas  S.  Martin, 

Subcommittee  on  Parks. 

II. 

statement  of  the  washington  civic  center. 

March  23,  1901. 

Sir:  The  committee  on  parks  and  playgrounds  of  the  Civic  Center 
respectfully  invites  your  attention  to  the  desirability  of  having  more 
open  squares  for  breathing  places  within  the  city  limits.  This  is 
especially  desirable  during  the  heated  term  in  this  climate,  so  that  the 
babies  and  little  children  may  secure  the  benefits  of  the  pure  oi)en  air 
on  shaded  lawns.  The  section,  for  example,  north  of  M  street  and 
between  North  Capitol  and  Twelfth  streets  is  being  rapidly  built  up 
with  homes  for  wage-earners,  and  will  soon  be  densely  j)opulated, 
without  any  provision  for  small  parks,  a  fact  which  will  be  painfully 
apparent  in  the  course  of  time,  and  this  is  doubtless  true  of  other 
sections. 

There  are  now  many  vacant  squares  available  at  a  reasonal^le  cost, 
and  the  fact  that  manj^  of  our  wage-earners  can  not  afford  to  take 
their  little  ones  to  the  larger  and  more  remote  parks  justifies  this 
suggestion. 

We  are  also  of  the  opinion  that  similar  provisions  should  be  made 
for  grounds  and  facilities  for  athletic  exercises  of  the  older  children, 
since,  when  all  the  vacant  lots  are  built  up,  the  opportunities  for 
healthful  outdoor  exercise  will  be  very  limited,  and  it  is  hoped  that 
these  suggestions  may  receive  attention  in  connection  with  the  general 
plan  now  under  consideration. 

In  conclusion,  we  invite  attention  to  the  lamentable  insufficiency  of 
sanitary  conveniences  in  our  parks  and  their  total  absence  in  our 
principal  thoroughfares,  a  lack  of  which  in  a  city  so  freely  visited  by 
strangers  as  the  national  capital  compels  unnecessary  suffering  or 
recourse  to  saloons,  restaurants,  and  other  jjublic  places. 

Respectfully  submitted. 

George  M.  Kober,  CJiairvum. 
Emilie  Young  O'Brien. 
Elizabeth  A.  Hyde. 

Hon.  James  McMillan, 

Chairman  Senate  Committee- on  the  District  of  Columbia. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  35 

III. 

STATEMENT  OF  THE  ASSOCIATED    CHARITIES  AND  THE  CITIZENS'  RELIEF 

ASSOCIATION. 

Washington,  D.  C,  August  19,  1001. 

Gentlemen:  The  Associated  Charities  and  the  Citizens'  Relief 
Association,  in  the  name  of  the  churches,  schools,  societies,  x^hilan- 
thropic  organizations,  and  charitable  individuals  whom  they  represent, 
respectfully  ask  your  commission,  in  formulating  plans  for  the  sys- 
tematic beautification  of  our  city,  to  give  especial  consideration  to 
its  j)oorer  neighborhoods.  Public  officials  and  influential  people 
living  in  the  finer  residential  portions  of  Washington  will  naturally 
attract  your  attention  to  those  parts  of  the  city  with  which  they 
are  most  familiar.  We  trust  j^ou  will  therefore  permit  us  to  emj)ha- 
size  other  features  of  the  situation  also,  and  to  voice  the  needs  of 
less  resourceful  neighborhoods  which  are   liable   to  be  overlooked. 

If  our  national  cajjital  is  to  be  an  ideal  city,  as  the  entire  country 
must  desire,  it  should  not  be  behind  Berlin,  Paris,  London,  and  other 
capital  cities  in  the  conscious  effort  to  eliminate  "slum"  conditions 
and  to  improve  the  surroundings  of  its  poorer  as  well  as  of  its 
wealthier  inhabitants.  That  municipal  beautification  involves  con- 
siderations of  civic  ethics  and  of  social  service  has  been  suggested 
since  the  earliest  days  of  European  cathedrals,  market  squares,  and 
city  halls.  It  has  now  come  to  be  definitely  ex^jressed  as  a  working 
principle  that  nothing  so  ennobles  and  beautifies  a  modern  city  as  the 
promotion  of  healthful  conditions,  of  artistic  surroundings,  of  educa- 
tional activities,  and  of  means  for  recreation  among  the  large  number 
of  citizens  who  are  least  able  to  obtain  these  communal  advantages 
for  themselves. 

Therefore  we  respectfully  ask  you  to  consider  esi^ecially  the  eight 
following  tox^ics.  If  any  or  all  of  these  are  either  alread^^  included 
in  your  jilans  or  entirely  beyond  the  scope  of  your  inquiry,  we  trust 
3^ou  will  understand  that  all  are  submitted  merely  as  suggestions; 
that  we  would  not  willingly  complicate  or  embarrass  your  important 
work  in  any  way,  but  seek  orAy  to  offer  you  such  cooperation  as  may 
be  entirely  acceptable. 

(i)  Small  parks:  There  are  small  vacant  areas  in  the  southwest, 
southeast,  and  northeast  sections  of  Washington  which  could  be 
secured  with  comparative  ease.  Some  already  belong  to  the  General 
and  District  governments,  and  are  merely  used  for  the  storage  of  stone, 
sewer  pipes,  etc.  Their  use  for  recreation  and  neighborhood  beauti- 
fication is  made  esj)ecially  desirable  by  the  fact  that  most  of  the  houses 
in  the  detiser  portions  of  these  sections,  and  especially  in  the  south- 
west, are  small  themselves,  and  stand  in  diminutive  yards  or  have  no 
yard  space  whatever.  Georgetown,  too,  has  a  very  i^oor  section  in 
which  a  park  is  needed,  and  attention  should  also  be  given  to  that 


36'  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

portion  of  the  northwest  which  extends  from  North  Capitol  to  Seventh 
or  Ninth  streets. 

(3)  Playgrounds,  with  sand  piles,  swings,  gymnastic  apparatus,  and 
facilities  for  outdoor  sports,  are  much  more  useful  to  a.  city  than  are 
small  parks  alone.  These  j)laygrounds  should  have,  for  certain  hours 
at  least,  tlie  services  of  a  trained  kindergartner,  gymnasium  director, 
or  other  capable  person  who  will  suggest  and  oversee  games  and  make 
the  playground  a  means  of  developing  good  citizenship.  It  has  been 
demonstrated  in  several  cities  that  such  plaj'grounds  greatly  lessen 
crime  and  the  destructive  mischief  of  boys  and  youths  bj^  giving  them 
an  opportunity  to  work  off  their  suplus  energies  in  wholesome  activities. 

To  members  of  the  community  and  to  visitors  these  j)laygrounds, 
enlivened  by  the  presence  and  joyous  sports  of  children,  would  be  more 
attractive,  more  truly  beautifying  to  our  city  than  bronze  monuments 
and  exclusive  gardens.  An  ideal  plan  would  be  to  combine  small 
parks  and  x)laygrounds,  arranging  shaded  walks  and  benches  for  the 
adults,  especially  for  mothers  and  babies,  with  a  well-equij)]3ed  play 
yard  fpr  the  children  and  young  people. 

{3)  Public  scliool  centers :  Washington  would  lead  in  realizing  an 
ideal  which  is  now  being  advocated  in  many  cities  if  our  public  schools 
could  each  be  surrounded  by  such  a  i)ark  playground  as  has  been 
suggested.  The  schools  would  thus  be  made,  appropriately,  the  pub- 
lic beautification  centers  of  neighborhoods  in  which  there  are  no 
monuments  or  public  edifices  to  serve  as  central  features  in  your 
designs  for  a  beautiful  cit3^ 

{4)  Public  comfort  stations,  or  toilet  rooms,  such  as  are  found  on 
street  corners  or  beneath  street  pavements  and  sidewalks  in  London, 
Paris,  and  other  cities  should  be  provided  in  the  parks  and  play- 
grounds and  also  in  tlie  business  centers  of  Washington. 

(5)  Bathing  beaches,  or  floating  river  bath  houses,  are  needed  in  the 
southwest  and  southeast  i)ortions  of  Washington.  Under  direction 
of  3'our  commission  such  river  frontages,  with  their  buildings,  fences, 
and  walks  would  be  a  means  of  beautifying  the  city  as  well  as  promote 
ing  public  health  and  comfort. 

In  addition  to  bathing  beaches,  or  such  floating  river  bath  houses 
as  are  numerous  along  the  River  Rhine  in  Germany,  there  should  be 
bath  houses  erected,  for  use  in  winter  as  well  as  summer,  in  the  four 
divisions  of  Washington.  Bathing  facilities  are  especially  needed 
where  allej^  houses  are  numerous,  and  our  colored  population  should 
be  particularly  considered  in  this,  as  indeed  in  all  the  suggestions 
of  this  letter.  That  the  ijublic  baths  of  Rome  were  among  the 
important  means  of  public  beautification  suggests  that  the  erection 
of  at  least  one  model  bath  house  could  appropriately  be  urged  by 
your  commission. 

(6)  The  James  Creek  Canal  is  an  open  sewer,  so  dangerous, 
unwholesome,  and  hideous  that  this  community  has  no  right  to  inflict 
it  upon  the  soutliwest  portion  of  the  city  which  jt  now  pollutes.    Could 


PAKE    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTKICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  37 

not  your  commission  reeomjuend  that  this  canal  be  covered  over,  and 
that  its  roof  be  used,  together  with  the  space  of  80  or  90  feet  reserved 
on  either  side  as  jDublic  domain,  as  a  public  park  or  a  boulevard,  with 
grass  Idiots  and  flower  gardens  in  the  center,  upon  the  roof  of  the 
canal?  The  comprehensive  plans  of  your  commission  could  surely 
include  suggestions  for  transforming  this  open-sewer  nuisance  into  a 
means  of  public  beautification. 

(7)  The  Anacostia  River  or  "Eastern  Branch"  will,  of  course, 
receive  your  consideration.  We  trust  your  recommendation  may  be 
made  to  strengthen  and  further  the  work  of  removing  unwholesome, 
malaria-breeding,  swamp  areas  from  its  southeastern  shores.  The 
public  parks,  drivewaj^s,  or  garden  areas  thus  created  would  be  beau- 
tiful, not  only  in  themselves,  but  in  the  consideration  that  their 
construction  had  removed  causes  of  disease  which  yearly  cripples  hun- 
dreds of  our  citizens. 

(8)  The  progressive  elimination  of  alley  houses  would  naturally 
be  included  in  any  attempt  to  restore  or  fulfill  the  plans  of  Major 
L'Enfant.  Into  his  design  for  a  city  of  generous  ^proportions,  with 
noble  residences  surrounded  by  am^Dle  spaces,  there  have  been  insin- 
uated an  extensive  system  of  alley  houses  which  x^i'obably  present  as 
bad  housing  conditions  as  can  be  found  in  any  city  of  equal  size  and 
equal  density  of  population  in  this  country.  Thej^  constitute  the 
saddest  blot  upon  our  national  capital.  All  iDortions  of  the  city  are 
affected  bj"  this  peculiar  evil.  Some  of  the  worst  alleys  are  located  in 
northwest  Washington,  within  a  stone's  throw  of  palatial  mansions, 
magnificent  churches,  monuments,  and  the  edifices  of  the  National 
Government. 

Not  only  the  erection  of  additional  alley  houses  should  be  forbidden 
henceforth,  but  no  reconstruction  or  repairs  which  would  lengthen 
the  existence  of  these  places  should  be  permitted,  and  the  health 
department,  the  police  authorities,  or  a  special  commission  slioald  be 
empowered  to  freely  exercise  the  powers  of  condemnation  and  removal 
which  are  now  being  used  in  other  cities  to  improve  tenement'condi- 
tions.  When  the  size  of  the  block  j)ermits,  the  allej^s  should  be  made 
over  into  minor  streets. 

An  ideal  remedy  in  the  smaller  blocks  would  be  to  have  all  inhabited 
alleys  converted  into  small  parks,  playgi'ounds,  or  open  spaces.  Some- 
thing might  be  done  toward  persuading  property  owners  or  companies 
formed  for  that  purpose  to  acquire  whole  blocks  and  convert  their 
present  alley  centers  into  a  common  park  playground  for  use  by  all 
tenants  of  the  block.  Such  central  sj)aces  under  private  ownership 
could  be  made  beautiful  as  well  as  healthful,  convenient,  exclusive 
areas  for  social  recreation,  and  it  is  j)ossible  that  the  increased  values 
of  abutting  pro^Derty  would  compensate — at  least  in  the  better  resi- 
dential sections — for  the  removal  of  the  jDresent  alley  shanties.  The 
"Riverside  tenements"  of  Brooklyn,  extending  around  an  entire 
block,  have  thus  used  a  central  open  space;  have  i)rovided  a  weeklj^ 


38  PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTKICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

band  concert  there;  also  special  laundry  and  drying  rooms,  bath- 
rooms, children's  playground,  grass  plots,  and  summer  houses,  and 
have  made  the  work  financially  profitable  for  years. 

Might  it  not  be  well  if  the  city  authorities  were  empowered  to 
acquire  one  or  two  of  the  worst  alleys  and  convert  them  into  small 
public  i^arks  as  an  example  which  needs  to  spread  in  Washington? 

As  for  the  stimulation  of  private  enterx)rise  in  this  direction,  your 
commission  can  do  much  bj^  definite  recommendations.  It  would  also 
be  helpful  if  stereopticon  views  and  printed  pictures  could  be  used  in 
showing  what  has  been  accomplished  elsewhere — as  at  Dayton,  Ohio, 
and  Sunlight,  England — by  substituting  floral  hedges  for  back-yard 
fences  and  beautifying  entire  blocks  of  back  yards  by  developing 
flowers,  grass,  foliage,  and  trees  under  the  direction  of  a  landscape 
gardener  who  plans  whole  blocks  as  units. 

The  general  secretary  of  our  association  has  recently  taken  some 
200  photographs  in  the  poorer  neighborhoods  of  Washington  and  has 
also  collected  300  stereopticon  views  of  poor  conditions  and  of  reme- 
dial, beautifying  agencies  in  other  cities.  If  any  of  this  material  can 
be  made  of  service  in  j^our  work,  we  shall  gladly  cooperate  with  you. 

Finally,  all  Americans  would  rejoice  to  see  the  National  Capital 
become  as  nearly  as  possible  "the  city  beautiful,"  which  is  the  ideal 
nucleus  of  modern  society.  Great  things  have  been  suggested  for  the 
imf)roveuient  and  beautification  of  Washington.  Your  commission, 
centering  as  it  now  does  the  interest  of  the  entire  country,  can  do 
much  to  j)romote  their  consideration  by  the  public  and  their  ultimate 
realization  here.  These  great  improvements  would  beautify  our  city, 
while  helping  to  make  its  residents  more  liealthy,  effective,  and  liappj". 
They  would  impress  visitors  with  the  fact  that  an  ideal  city  is  mindful 
of  all  its  inhabitants  and  all  jjortions  of  its  territory;  that  it  is  not 
forgetful  of  those  among  its  citizens  who  are  least  able  to  command 
for  themselves  the  neighborhood  conditions  essential  to  wholesome 
living. 

Thanking  j^ou  for  your  consideration,  and  again  tendering  any 
cooperation  which  our  officers  or  members  can  acceptably  render,  we 
remain, 

Verj^  respectfully,  yours, 

The  Citizens'  Relief  Association  and 
THE  Associated  Charities, 
Per  Chas.  F.  Wellee, 

General  Secretary. 

Mr.  Daniel  II.  Burnham, 

Mr.  Charles  F.  McKim, 

Mr.  Augustus  St.  Gaudens, 

Mr.  Frederick  Law  Olmsted,  Jr., 

Special  Com  mission  on  the  Beautification  and 

Improvement  of  the  National  Capital. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  39 

IV. 

STATEMENT   OF   THE    NORTH   CAPITOL   AND    ECKINGTON   CITIZENS' 

ASSOCIATION. 

Washington,  D.  C,  November  2,  190i. 
My  Dear  Sir:  Replying  to  your  kind  favor  of  tlie  olst  nit.,  I  beg 
to  quote  the  language  of  my  report,  recently  adopted  hy  the  North 
Capitol  and  Eckington  Citizens'  Association,  respecting  ]3arks  for  our 
section  of  this  city — that  is,  the  northeast : 

"  That  the  land,  now  covered  with  beautiful  oak  trees,  lying  between  Eckington 
place.  Third  street  (when  extended).  R  street,  and  New  York  avenue;  also  the 
southern  portion  of  the  Patterson  tract,  lying  east  of  the  Brentwood  road,  and 
whatever  area  that  may  not  have  been  secured  by  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad 
Company  of  the  northern  part  thei'eof,  said  tracts  forming  a  natural  park,  be 
secured  by  the  District  and  added  to  the  proposed  system  of  parks.  *  *  ■"  Atten- 
tion is  called  to  the  fact  that  the  northwestern,  southwestern,  and  southeastern 
sections  of  our  city  have  been  provided  with  handsome  parks,  while  the  northeast, 
within  which  quarter  a  large  part  of  the  section  covered  by  the  limits  of  this  asso- 
ciation's bounds  lies,  is  totally  unprovided  for  "  (the  small  square  at  the  corner  of 
Sixth  and  C  streets  alone  excepted).  "  It  seems  to  your  committee  that  this  is  a 
specially  fitting  time  to  press  the  needs  of  our  section  in  this  regard,  the  land  indi- 
cated being  entirely  imimproved  and  almost  in  its  virgin  state,  and  can,  therefore, 
be  purchased  at  a  much  lower  price  than  after  improvements  shall  have  begun; 
that  consideration  would  also  be  more  likely  to  be  given  to  our  application  at 
this  time  in  view  of  the  approaching  disfigurement  of  the  eastern  portion  of  our 
section  by  the  additional  lines  of  railroad  tracks  and  appurtenances,  as,  with  the 
tracts  mentioned  adormd  and  even  slightly  improved  (and  bnt  little  outlay  would 
be  required  on  account  of  the  present  natural  beauty  of  the  land),  these  railroad 
approaches  could  be  made  only  not  less  objectionable,  but  even  quite  attractive,  so 
that  the  eastern  section  of  our  territory  might  be  compensated  thereby  for  the 
injury  to  be  inflicted  upon  it  by  the  additional  railroad  lines." 

I  understand  that  your  commission  has  recently  visited  all  parts  of 
our  District  in  order  to  ascertain  the  possibilities  for  parking  imi^rove- 
ments  therein,  and  I  feel  convinced  that  it  is  wholl}'  unnecessary  to 
enlarge  upon  the  merits  of  the  claim  for  consideration  which  we  pre- 
sent. As  your  commission  is  taking  in  the  whole  question,  I  am  con- 
fident tliat  our  section,  which  is  so  rapidly  being  built  up,  will  receive 
its  full  share  of  the  benefits  to  be  besto\ved  through  the  services  of  the 
members  of  your  important  commission. 
Very  respectfully,  yours, 

Irwin  B.  Linton, 
Chairman  Committee  on  Parks  and  Parking. 
Charles  Moore,  Esq., 

Parking  Commission.. 


40  PARK.    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


STATEMENT  OF  THE   TAKOMA  PARK   CITIZENS'   ASSOCIATION. 

Takoma  Park,  D.  C,  October  19,  1901. 
Gentlemen:  I  here  inclose  you  a  memorial  of  a  committee  of 
the  Takoma  Park  Citizens'  Association,  which,  I  trust,  may  receive 
some  consideration  by  your  body.  We  believe  if  you  could  visit 
Takoma  Park  and  see  the  beautiful  ground,  so  well  adapted  for  such 
a  ijurpose,  and  note  the  rapidity  with  which  the  land  is  being  occu- 
pied for  homes,  you  would  agree  with  us  as  to  the  propriety  of  pro- 
viding a  small  park  in  our  vicinity.  If  you  would  think  worth  while 
to  grant  an  audience  to  our  committee,  we  should  be  gratified  to  meet 
you,  and  possibly  imj^ress  you  with  other  facts  bearing  upon  the 
subject. 

Very  respectfully,  M.  J.  Wine, 

Chairman  Committee. 
The  Park  Commission  for  the  District  of  Columbia. 


Whereas  the  District  of  Columbia  in  the  vicinity  of  Takoma  Park  is  being 
rapidly  built  up  and  improved  by  the  establishment  of  homes,  so  that  it  is  appar- 
ent the  day  can  not  be  far  distant  when  suitable  parks  and  reservations  will  be 
necessary,  not  only  to  beautify  and  adorn  the  section,  but  to  enable  us  to  retain 
its  present  high  standard  of  healthfulness  and  its  attractive  features  as  a  place 
for  residence;  and 

Whereas  the  citizens  of  Takoma  and  vicinity,  in  public  meeting  assembled 
through  the  medium  of  their  citizens"  association,  realizing  the  importance  of 
making  adequate  provision  for  suitable  park  facilities  and  appreciating  the  action 
of  Congress  in  designating  a  commission  to  take  into  consideration  the  compre- 
hensive park  system  of  the  District,  designated  the  undersigned  to  present  to  you 
as  park  commissioners  the  necessity  of  providing  a  plat  of  ground  for  a  public 
park  in  this  vicinity  before  the  section  shall  become  too  thickly  populated. 

Therefore  the  committee  respectfully  state,  that  after  due  consideration  given  to 
this  subject,  we  conclude  to  present  to  you  a  request  that  the  plat  of  land  bounded 
by  Vermillion  street,  Sixth  street,  Chestniit  avenue,  and  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Railroad  and  fully  shown  upon  the  attached  map  and  indicated  in  red  should  be 
set  apart  as  and  for  a  public  i)ark,  and  we  respectfully  urge  that  you  will  present 
the  same  in  your  report  to  Congress,  upon  the  work  of  establishing  a  more  com- 
prehensive park  system  for  the  District  of  Columbia.  Any  further  information 
with  reference  thereto  will  be  cheerfully  furnished. 

M.  J.  Wine. 
W.  W.  Anderson. 
Louis  P.  Shoemaker. 
F.  J.  Lung. 


SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PxVPERS.— NO.  4. 


FORT  STEVENS,  WHERE  LINCOLN  WAS  UNDER  FIRE. 

By  William  Y.  Cox, 
Chairman  of  the  Historical  Committee,  Brightivood  Citizens'  Association. 


March  28,  1901. — Printed  foi-  the  use  of  the  committee. 


When  Fort  Sumter  was  fired  on,  April  12,  1861,  Washington  was 
as  defenseless  as  it  was  in  August,  ISl-l,  when  it  was  captured  by  the 
British. 

In  two  years  and  a  half,  however,  the  city  was  protected  b}"  a  mag- 
nificent S3\stem  of  forts  and  batteries,  6S  in  number,  each  flanking  the 
other  and  spread  out  around  the  cit}^  for  the  distance  of  37  miles. 

Eighteen  of  these  forts  were  located  in  the  northern  part  of  the  Dis- 
trict, between  the  Potomac  and  Anacostia  rivers. 

In  addition  to  these  forts  there  were,  between  Forts  Sumner  and 
Lincoln  (the  former  on  the  Potomac,  the  latter  on  the  Anacostia),  1  bat- 
teries of  heav}"  artillery  and  1-4  batteries  of  light  artillery,  containing 
in  all  643  guns,  75  mortars,^  and  together  forming  Avhat  General 
Barnard  describes  as  "a  connected  system  of  fortifications  by  which 
every  point  at  intervals  of  800  to  1,000  j^ards  was  occupied  by  an 
inclosed  field  fort,  every  important  approach  or  depression  of  ground 
unseen  from  the  forts  was  swept  b}^  a  battery  of  field  guns,  and  the 
whole  connected  bj^  rifle  trenches,  which  were,  in  fact,  lines  of  infantry 
parapet,  furnishing  employment  for  two  ranks  of  men  and  aflording 
covered  communications  along  the  line,  while  the  roads  were  open 
wherever  necessary,  so  that  troops  and  artillery  could  be  moved  rapidly 
from  one  point  of  the  immense  periphery  to  another,  or  under  cover 
from  point  to  point  along  the  line. "  '■^ 

^Barnara,  p.  18. 

^In  the  autumn  of  1862  a  force  of  several  thousand  troops  were  employed  in  con- 
structing rifle  trenches  and  roads,  felling  timlaer,  building  new  and  repairing  old 
works,  and  in  the  spring  and  summer  of  1863  1,500  men  were  employed  on  the 
fortifications. 

A  military  road  was  constructed  from  Fort  Sumner  to  Fort  Stevens  in  September 
1862,  a  distance  of  about  5^  miles;  speaking  of  which  Prof.  George  C.  Schaeffer  said 
"When  the  defenses  are  swept  away,  the  roads  may  remain  as  a  lasting  benefit." 

41 


42  PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

In  those  days,  as  now,  the  Seventh  Street  Pike  (Brightwood  avenue) 
was  the  leading  thoroughfare  to  and  from  Washington,  and  at  a  point 
5  miles  from  the  Capitol,  where  the  cordon  of  defenses  crossed  this 
road,  at  a  height  of  321  feet  above  mean  tide,  a  fort  was  built  in 
October,  1861,  and  named  "Massachusetts"  in  honor  of  the  old  Bay 
State. 

The  fort  being  found  inadequate  for  its  important  purpose,  it  was 
enlarged  in  1862  and  1863,  and  on  April  1  of  that  j^ear  the  name  was 
changed  to  Fort  Stevens,  in  memorj"  of  Brig.  Gen.  Isaac  Ingalls 
Stevens,  who  had  just  lost  his  life  at  Chantilly,  Va.^ 

The  ramparts  of  Fort  Stevens  extended  from  a  point  about  50  feet 
north  of  the  present  Brightwood  schoolhouse  in  a  northern  direction 
for  the  distance  of  about  160  feet,  outside  measurement,  then  in  a  gen- 
eral northwest  direction  for  the  distance  of  1-10  feet,  then  northwest  at  a 
more  acute  angle  90  feet,  then  nearly  west  for  the  distance  of  220  feet, 
then  southwest  about  80  feet,  and  then  south  about  ll-l  feet,  as  3'ou 
now  see  it,  with  a  perimeter  of  1,125  feet,  inside  measurement.  The 
two  ends  on  the  south  were  connected  hj  a  stockade.  The  entrance 
was  from  this  side,  and  a  blockhouse  about  halfwaj^  between  the 
entrance  and  the  west  end  of  the  fort  flanked  the  stockade.  The  fort 
had  two  magazines,  one  where  Emor}^  Chapel  now  stands  and  the 
other  to  the  west,  where  the  depression  is  still  visible.  The  house  of 
Elizabeth  Thomas,  who  is  still  alive,  was  torn  down  and  the  cellar 
enlarged  for  this  magazine."  A  bombproof  about  150  feet  in  length 
extended  northwest  and  southeast  parallel  to  the  stockade  and  about  50 
feet  from  it.  A  flagstaff  stood  on  the  top  of  the  magazine  on  the  east 
side  of  the  fort.  (Latitude  38'"  57'  47".  16;  longitude  77^  01'  23". 57.) 
Around  the  entire  fort  was  an  abatis. 

The  fort,  described  as  "a  powerful  and  satisfactory  work,"  was  pro- 
tected by  rifle  trenches — those  on  the  northwest  side  are  still  standing 
and  in  good  preservation. 

During  the  war  various  troops  camped  in  and  around  Fort  Stevens, 
and  to-day  those  who  recall  "war  times"  will  tell  you  of  the  Seventh 
Massachusetts  being  encamped  on  the  White  farm  on  the  west  side  of 

^When  his  troops  wavered  under  the  terrific  fire,  General  Stevens  rushed  forward 
to  the  leading  regiment,  seized  the  colors  from  the  wounded  bearer,  and  calling  on 
the  Highlanders  to  follow  him,  led  them  in  the  onslaught  which  hurled  back  the 
enemy.  In  the  moment  of  victory  he  fell,  his  brain  pierced  by  a  bullet  in  the  temple, 
the  flag  of  Ms  country  in  his  dying  grasjD.  (Life  of  General  Stevens,  by  Gen.  Hazard 
Stevens. ) 

^Aunt  Betty  says:  "The  soldiers  camped  here  at  this  time  were  mostly  German. 
I  could  not  understand  them,  not  even  the  officers,  but  when  they  began  taking  out 
my  furniture  and  tearing  down  our  house  I  understood.  In  the  evening  I  was  sitting 
under  that  sycamore  tree — my  only  house — with  what  furniture  I  had  left  around 
me.  I  was  crying,  as  was  my  6-months-old  child,  which  I  held  in  my  arms,  when  a 
tall,  slender  man  dressed  in  black  came  up  and  said  to  me:  'It  is  hard,  but  you  shall 
reap  a  great  reward.'  It  was  President  Lincoln,  and  had  he  lived  I  know  the  claim 
for  my  losses  would  have  been  paid." 


PAHK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OE    COLUMBIA.  43 

Brightwood  avenue;  the  Tenth  Massachusetts  on  the  Lay  farm;  the 
Thirtj^-sixth  New  York  on  the  east  side  of  Brightwood  avenue,  oppo- 
site the  hotel;  the  Rhode  Island  regiment  on  the  old  Ray  farm  hj  Piney 
Branch;  the  Maine  battery  was  west;  Battery  L,  First  Ohio,  was  east 
of  Fort  Stevens,  while  the  "Hundred  Day  Men,"  all  from  Ohio,  were 
then,  as  now,  everj^where. 

It  may  interest  joix  to  know  that  among  those  Buckeyes  who  saw 
service  at  Fort  Stevens  in  ISG-I  was  Governor  George  K.  Nash,  pri- 
vate in  Companj^  K,  One  hundred  and  fiftieth  Ohio  National  Guard. 
Marcus  A.  Hanna,  second  lieutenant  in  Company  C,  was  stationed  at 
Fort  Bunker  Hill.  These  gentlemen  have  assisted  in  saving  the  capi- 
tal on  more  than  one  occasion. 

In  the  hollow  ground  south  of  Fort  Stevens  capable  of  sheltering 
large  bodies  of  men  from  curved  artillery  fire,  were  built  barracks  and 
officers'  quarters,  partl}^  from  timber  cut  down  in  front  of  the  fortifi- 
cations and  from  lumber  in  houses  and  fences  belonging  to  Mr.  M.  G. 
Emery  and  others,  which  the  soldiers  tore  down  without  consulting 
the  owners.  During  the  battle  these  barracks  were  converted  into 
hospitals  for  receiving  the  wounded.  The  bricks  from  the  chimneys 
and  foundations  from  the  torn-doAvn  houses  were  used  in  coustructing 
bakiug  ovens. 

The  Emer}^  house,  still  standing,  was  used  for  headquarters  duiing 
the  war  by  General  Couch,  Gen.  Francis  A.  Walker,  and  other  officers, 
while  the  cupola  was  used  as  a  signal  station,  and  man}"  were  the  mes- 
sages, it  is  said,  that  were  "wigwagged"  from  it  to  the  Soldiers' 
Home,  Mount  Pleasant,  and  even  the  Capitol. 

The  armament  of  Fort  Stevens  consisted  of  19  guns  and  2  mortars; 
of  these,  5  were  30-pound  rifled  Parrott  and  10  2-1-pound,  and  2 
S-ipch  smoothbore  guns.  Four  of  the  guns  were  on  barbette  car- 
riages— 2  at  the  northeast  and  2  at  the  northwest. 

A  map  of  General  Meigs,  a  copy  of  which  I  have,  shows  the  relative 
ranges  of  the  guns,  the  outer  one  being  near  the  District  line. 

At  many  points  the  earthworks  have  been  leveled,  but  thirt}" -seven 
years  ago  these  same  old  earthworks  saved  the  nation's  capital. 

There  were  many  dark  days  in  Washington  during  the  civil  war. 
The  first  3^ears  were  full  of  disappointment. 

The  hope  of  the  country  aroused  b}'^  the  transfer  of  Grant,  the  suc- 
cessful leader  of  the  Western  armies,  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  had 
not  been  realized.  Indeed,  when  the  countr}^  was  expecting  io3^ful 
tidings  from  his  arm}"  it  was  startled  to  find  Jubal  Early  with  his  tire- 
less veterans  pounding  at  the  gates  of  the  unprotected  capital. 

To  me  these  were  the  darkest  days  of  the  war.  Then  came  the  first 
steady  ray  of  light,  and  from  the  hills  of  Brightwood,  for  here  in 
front  of  Fort  Stevens  on  July  12,  1864,  came  to  an  end  the  cleverest 
plan  conceived  by  that  great  Southern  general,  Robert  E.  Lee. 

Grant  was  engaged  in  "fighting  it  out  on  that  line"  and  was  crowd- 


44  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

ing-  Lee  toward  Richmond.  General  Hunter,  having  defeated  Jones 
near  Staunton,  was  threatening  Lynchburg.  Lee  thereupon  deter- 
mined to  follow  the  example  of  Napoleon,  who  made  it  the  fashion  of 
Europe  to  dash  through  all  obstacles  to  the  capital  of  the  enemy, 
divided  his  army  and  on  June  12,  1864,  ordered  Earl}^  to  take  Ewell's 
corps,  then  near  Gaines's  mill.  Cold  Harbor,  northeast  of  Richmond, 
and  attack  Hunter  in  the  rear,  push  down  the  Shenandoah  Valley, 
cross  the  Potomac,  enter  Maryland  and  surprise  Washington.  Lee 
reasoned  that  this  movement  would  induce  Grant  to  attack  him,  strongly 
intrenched,  or  divide  his  arni}^,  when  he  hoped  to  engage  and  destroy 
him.  Accordingly  Early  started  the  next  day,  June  13,  on  his  famous 
campaign.  He  struck  Hunter,  who  retired^  down  the  Kanawha  Val- 
ley, crossing  the  Potomac  near  Harpers  Ferry,  was  in  Maryland,  and 
was  shelling  Sigel's  force,  as  it  ascended  the  Maryland  Heights,  before 
Grant  would  believe  that  he  was  not  in  the  front  opposing  him. 

On  July  8  Early  moved  around  Sigel  and  on  the  9th  was  at  Freder- 
ick. Having  exacted  a  tribute  of  $200,000,  he  moved  out  and  defeated 
Gen.  Lew  Wallace  at  Monocacy  River.  So  ambitious  was  Earlj"  to 
capture  or,  as  he  afterwards  said,  threaten  Washington  that  he  did  not 
follow  up  Wallace,  but  marched  at  once  on  the  capital.  On  July  10 
he  appeared  at  Rockville,  10  miles  from  Fort  Stevens,  where  Major 
Fry,~  of  Lowell's  cavahy,^  briskly  engaged  him  for  an  hour  and  a  half, 
but  when  Early  brought  his  artillery  to  bear,  retreated  to  within  a 
couple  of  miles  of  Tennallytown.     (Appendix  A.) 

The  rapid  and  successful  movement  of  the  energetic  Early  and  the 
appearance  of  bodies  of  his  forces  in  the  most  unexpected  quarters 
startled  the  North.  Instead  of  there  being  "an  entire  feeling  of 
security  for  its  safety  from  menace,"  the  capital  was  actually  threat- 
ened by  Early's  troops,  Hushed  with  success.  Indeed,  there  were  grave 
reasons  to  believe  that,  with  its  defenses  stripped  of  the  disciplined 
artillery  by  General  Grant,  the  capital  would  be  captured  b}^  the 
Southern  veterans,  incited  by  the  prize  and  inspired  by  the  audacity 
of  the  undertaking.  The  heart  of  the  North  beat  quickly,  for  it  saw 
that  with  the  capital  in  the  possession  of  the  eneni}'  grave  complica- 
tions would  follow  in  the  recognition  of  the  Confederate  States  by 
foreign  powers  longing  only  for  a  plausible  pretext  to  begin  the  dip- 
lomatic campaign  of  dismemberment. 

As  we  look  back  at  the  actual  condition  of  affairs  in  Washington  in 
1864  we  find  that  there  were  barely  enough  artillerymen  for  a  single 

^  Hunter  moved  down  the  Kanawha  and  up  the  Ohio  to  Parkersburg,  where  he 
took  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad  July  5.  On  the  10th  his  cavalry  reoccupied 
Martinsburg.  The  slow  movement  was  due  to  the  low  water  in  the  Ohio  and  the 
injury  done  to  the  railroad  by  Imboden.  The  troops  were  compelled  to  mai'ch  from 
Cherry  Run. 

^  Sixteenth  Peiuisylvania  Cavalry. 

^  Second  Massachusetts  Cavalry.  "         . 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  45 

relief  of  gunners.     There  was  only  one-fifth  enough  infantry  available 
to  man  the  parapets,  and  a  small  brigade  of  cavalry,  most!}-  unmounted. 

On  July  10.  1864,  Fort  Stevens  was  garrisoned  b}"  Company  K,  One 
hundred  and  fiftieth  Ohio  National  Guard,  commanded  by  Captain 
Safi^ord;  a  portion  of  the  Thirteenth  Michigan  Battery,  by  Captain 
Dupont;  and  convalescents  from  various  branches  of  the  ser^  ice,  com- 
manded by  Lieutenant  Turner,  numbering  in  all  209  men. 

If  we  may  judge  b}^  what  General  Halleck  wired  an  ambitious  ofiicer 
on  Jul}"  11,  Washington  was  defended  by  generals.  He  sa3^s:  ""We 
have  five  times  as  many  generals  as  we  want,  but  we  are  greatl}"  in 
need  of  privates.  Anyone  volunteering  in  that  capacity  will  be  thank- 
fulh'  received." 

Gen.  C.  C.  Augur  was  in  command  of  the  Department  of  Washing- 
ton, while  Gen.  A.  McD,  McCook  was  in  command  of  the  troops  and 
fortifications.  The  latter,  according  to  the  Meigs  map,  had  his  head- 
quarters on  July  11  and  12  at  Mooreland's  tavern,  where  Brightwood 
Hotel  now  stands. 

Every  man  in  Washington  was  utilized  for  defense.  Gen.  M.  C. 
Meigs  called  out  the  quartermaster  employees  and  had  his  head- 
quarters at  Fort  Slocum,  the  first  fort  east  of  Fort  Stevens.  Still 
farther  to  the  east  was  Fort  Totten,  where  there  was  a  100-pound  gun, 
which  swept  the  section  from  Fort  Do  Russ}^  where  there  was  another 
100-pound  gun,  to  Fort  Lincoln.  The  Veteran  Reserves  and  the  Dis- 
trict A^olunteers  were  also  called  out,  and  all  available  sailors  and 
marines  were  placed  under  the  command  of  Admiral  Goldsborough 
while  all  the  men  that  could  be  spared  were  drawn  from  the  forts 
south  of  the  Potomac. 

The  swiftness  of  Early's  approach  gave  little  time  for  preparations. 
General  ]McCook,  who  had  been  ordered  to  command  a  reserve  camp 
on  Pine}"  Branch  Creek,  proceeded,  on  Sunday  afternoon,  Jul}"  10,  to 
make  an  examination  of  the  ground.  During  the  night,  he  says,  the 
Second  District  Volunteers,  the  Ninth  Regiment  Veteran  Reserves,  and 
Captains  Gibb's  and  Bradley's  batteries  reported  to  him.  On  Monday 
morning  the  alarming  news  from  the  front  forced  him  to  move  his 
troops  to  the  rifie  trenches  on  either  side  of  Fort  Stevens.  He  sent 
out  a  skirmish  line  and  took  command  of  the  fort  and  lines,  which  he 
had  never  seen  before  his  arrival.  General  McCook  in  his  report, 
speaking-  of  the  defenders  of  Washington,  said: 

I  hazard  the  remark  that  there  never  was  before  a  command  so  heterogeneous,  yet 
so  orderly.  The  hale  and  hearty  soldier,  the  invalid,  the  convalescent,  the  wounded, 
and  the  quartermaster  emploj-ees,  side  by  side,  each  working  with  a  singleness  of 
purpose  and  willing  to  discharge  any  duty  imposed  upon  him. 

There  seems,  however,  to  have  been  much  confusion  among  the 
commanders.  Charles  A.  Dana,  Assistant  Secretary  of  War,  is  author- 
ity for  the  statement  that — 

General  Halleck  would  not  give  orders  except  as  he  received  them  from  Grant; 
the  President  would  give  none;  and  until  Grant  directed  positively  and  explicitly 
what  was  to  be  done  everything  was  at  a  standstill. 


46  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

John  W.  Garrett,  president  of  the  Baltmiore  and  Ohio  Railroad, 
seems  to  have  been  better  posted  as  to  Early's  army  and  movements 
than  the  commanders  themselves.  See  volume  37,  War  of  the  Rebellipn. 
(Book  of  the  Ro3^al  Blue,  April,  1901.) 

When  General  Grant  realized  the  gravity  of  the  situation,  and  that 
Hunter  could  render  no  assistance,  he  at  first  thought  of  returning 
from  Petersburg  to  Washington  to  take  command  in  person.  On 
reflection,  however,  he  decided  to  send  back  the  Sixth  Corps,  com- 
manded by  Gen.  Horatio  G.  Wright,  "an  excellent  officer,"  as  he  says, 
and  well  known  to  many  of  us,  and  whose  death  we  have  recenth^  been 
called  to  mourn. 

The  Twenty-fifth  New  York  Cavalry,  the  headquarters  guard  of 
General  Grant,  which  left  Citypoint,  Va. ,  July  7,  seems  to  have  been 
the  first  regiment  to  reach  Washington  from  the  James,  and  went 
into  camp  about  midnight  of  the  lOth  of  Jul}^  near  Fort  Stevens.  The 
same  day  the  First  and  Second  Divisions  of  the  Sixth  Corps  left  City- 
point  for  Washington.  A  few  hours  later  Gen.  W.  H.  Emory,  with  a 
part  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps,  just  returning  from  New  Orleans  to  join 
Grant,  left  Fortress  Monroe  for  Washington  without  disembarking 
from  their  ocean  transports. 

What  a  picture!  Early,  with  his  fighting  legion,  advancing  on  the 
capital  from  the  north,  while  fleets  bearing  the  veterans  of  the  Sixth 
and  Nineteenth  Army  Corps  were  on  their  wa}^  from  the  James  and 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico  to  save  the  capital  the}'  loved  so  well.  North  and 
South  looked  on  with  bated  breath  and  wondered  which,  in  this  race 
of  armies,  would  reach  Washington  first. 

Disquieting  rumors  of  all  kinds  were  being  circulated  in  Baltimore 
and  Washington. 

Neither  Lincoln,  Stanton,  nor  Halleck  lacked  coolness  nor  energy  in 
this  trying  emergency,  sa}'  Nicolay  and  Ha}'.  The  President's  chief 
anxiet}'  was  for  the  capture  of  Early,  as  is  shown  b}'  the  letter  he  wrote 
General  Grant,  in  which  he  sa3'S  that  the  difficulty  will  be  to  unite 
Wright  and  Hunter  south  of  the  enemy  before  they  recross  the  Poto- 
mac, adding,  significantly,  "  Some  firing  between  Rockville  and  here 
now."  The  President  seems  to  have  been  unusually  calm,  thinking 
little  of  personal  danger,  for  we  find  that  on  July  10  he  wired  Gov- 
ernor Swann  at  Baltimore,  "Let  us  be  vigilant,  but  keep  cool."  He 
left  the  White  House  the  evening  of  that  day,  against  the  protests  of 
officials,  and  rode  to  the  cottage  he  occupied  at  the  Soldiers'  Home. 

When  Mr.  Stanton  learned  that  the  enemy  had  appeared  in  strong 
force  at  Tennallytown  and  Silver  Spring,  he  sent  a  carriage  for  the 
President  and  insisted  upon  his  returning  that  night  to  AVashington. 
Mr.  Lincoln  seems  to  have  caused  all  the  officials  worry  for  his  per- 
sonal safety.  The  Assistant  Secretar}--  of  the  Nav}',  Capt.  G.  V.  Fox, 
was  so  anxious  that  he  took  the  precaution  to  have  a  vessel  ready  in 
case  it  were  necessary  for  the  President  to  leave  Washington.     The 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  47 

solicitude  shown  both  b}"  Stanton  and  Fox  discomposed  and  irritated 
Mr.  Lincoln. 

As  alread}"  indicated,  it  can  not  be  truly  saM  that  there  was  tran- 
quillity in  Washington.  On  Jul}'  6  Secretar}-  Stanton  wired  General 
Hunter  at  Parkersburg: 

You  can  not  be  too  speedy  in  yonr  movements  in  tliis  direction  with  your  whole 
force. 

The  telegram  of  Gen.  Lew  Wallace  on  July  10  was  not  conducive  to 
entire  mental  composure  of  even  the  most  buoyant.  ''"I  have  been 
defeated,"  he  said;  "the  enemy  are  not  pursuing  me,  from  which  I 
infer  they  are  marching  on  Washington." 

On  Juh'  11  Charles  A.  Dana  wired  Grant: 

Washington  and  BaUimore  are  in  a  state  of  great  excitement.  Both  cities  are 
tilled  witli  country  jieople  fleeing  from  the  enemy.  The  damage  to  private  property 
done  by  the  invaders  is  almost  lieyond  calculation.  Mills,  workshops,  and  factories 
of  every  sort  have  been  destroyed.  From  25  to  50  miles  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Kailroad  have  been  torn  up. 

""The  boldness  of  the  movement,''  wired  Halleck  to  Grant,  "would 
indicate  that  he  is  stronger  than  we  supposed." 

General  McCook  wired  Colonel  Taylor  in  the  morning  of  the  11th: 

The  advance  cavalry  pickets,  22-  miles  beyond  fortification,  report  the  enemy 
advancing  in  force  on  the  Leesborough  road.     My  force  is  small,  but  will  do  my  best. 

General  McCook  wired  General  Augur  at  12.30  p.  m.,  July  11: 

The  enemy  is  advancing  on  my  front  with  cavalry,  artillery,  and  infantry. 

The  signal  officer  wired: 

The  enemy  is  within  20  rods  of  Fort  Stevens.^ 

On  the  morning  of  July  11  General  Earl}'  left  his  camp  near  Rock- 
ville,  ]McCausland  taking  the  Georgetown  pike,  the  infantry,  preceded 
and  flanked  by  cavalry,  taking  the  Seventh  street  pike.  Major  Frye, 
of  Lowell's  cavalry,  met  the  enemy's  cavalry  skirmishers  a  short  dis- 
tance beyond  the  picket  line,  on  the  Georgetown  pike,  before  noon, 
and  forced  them  back  on  their  reserves.  He,  in  turn,  was  forced  back 
by  the  enemy,  who  fired  a  few  shots  from  a  battery  of  light  artillery. 
Colonel  Marble,  of  the  One  hundred  and  fifty-first  Ohio,  was  in  com- 
mand of  the  line  near  Fort  De  Russy,  which  was  weak  on  account  of 
the  topography  and  the  shelter  afforded  by  logs,  rocks,  and  stumps  in 
the  valley  of  Rock  Creek.  ^ 

^The  troops  garrisoning  the  fort  July  10  were  composed  of  Company  K,  One  hundred 
and  fiftieth  Ohio,  78  men,  Capt.  A.  A.  Safford;  Thirteenth  ^Michigan  Battery,  79  men, 
Capt.  Charles  Dupont;  52  convalescents  commanded  by  Lieut.  H.  L.  Turner,  One  hun- 
dred and  fiftieth  Ohio.      (War  of  the  Rebellion  Records,  vol.  37,  Series  I,  p.  247. ) 

^A  persistent  statement  is  made  that  General  Breckenridge  wanted  to  take  his  com- 
mand and  force  the  Union  lines  by  Rock  Creek,  then  face  east  and  west,  take  the 
works  in  escalade,  form  a  junction  with  the  rest  of  the  Confederate  forces,  and  march 
into  Washington. 


48  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

About  11  o'clock  the  signal  officer  at  Fort  Reno  observed  clouds  of 
dust  and  army  wagons  moving  on  the  Seventh  street  pike,  and  Gen- 
eral McCook  was  promptly  informed.^  About  the  same  time  he 
received  a  message  from  Captain  Berry,  Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry,  that 
the  enemy,  with  artillery,  cavalry,  and  infantry,  was  moving  in  the 
direction  of  Silver  Spring.  General  McCook  ordered  the  picket  line, 
composed  of  the  One  hundred  and  fiftieth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry, 
the  Twenty-fifth  New  York  Cavalry,  dismounted  cavalry  under  Maj. 
G.  G,  Briggs,  Seventh  Michigan  Cavalry,  and  the  Veteran  Reserves, 
to  contest  the  ground  and  to  retire  slowl}^  on  approach  of  the  enemy 
until  within  range  of  the  guns  of  Forts  Stevens,  Slocum,  and  De 
Russy.^ 

Shortly  after  noon,  riding  in  advance  with  Rodes,  whose  division, 
consisting  of  Given's  and  Cox's  North  Carolinians,  Crook's  Georgians, 
and  Battle's  Alabamians,  was  in  the  van.  General  Early  came,  as  he  says, 
in  full  view  of  Fort  Stevens,  and  found  it  feeblj^  manned,  as  had  been 
reported  to  him.  Smith,  of  Imboden's  cavalry  (Early  says),  drove  a 
small  body  of  Union  cavalry  before  him  into  the  works,  dismounting 
his  men  and  deploying  them  as  skirmishers. 

What  must  have  been  the  thoughts  of  Early  as  he  contemplated  that 
"feebly  manned  fort,"  beyond  which  arose  the  majestic  Dome  of  the 
Capitol !  I  have  little  doubt  but  that  he  said  to  himself  that  the  Con- 
federate flag  would  be  floating  there  before  the  sun  sank  across  the 
Potomac  and  behind  the  Virginia  hills. 

No  time,  however,  could  be  lost,  and  he  ordered  Rodes  to  bring  his 
division  of  tired  and  dusty  veterans  in  line  as  rapidly  as  possible  and 
move  "into  the  works;"  but  before  his  order  could  be  executed,  to 
his  great  surprise  and  everlasting  regret,  he  saw  trained  and  disciplined 
troops  move  out  of  the  works,  deploy,  and  form  a  skirmish  line. 

What  must  have  been  his  disappointment?  Nothing  daunted,  the 
tireless  Early  and  his  brave  men  continued  to  advance,  but  with  a 
greater  degree  of  caution  than  before.  It  was  too  late;  the  hopes  and 
ambitions  of  only  an  hour  ago  could  never  be  realized.  Washington 
is  saved  to  the  Union!  What  Early  thought  had  happened  now  hap- 
pened; the  Sixth  Corps  had  arrived.  Never  was  there  a  more  oppor- 
tune movement;  never  was  there  a  more  welcome  arrival.  Down  the 
historic  James,  up  the  historic  Potomac,  came  the  Sixth  Corps.  Mr. 
Lincoln,  who  had  been  at  Fort  Stevens  in  the  morning,  drove  to  the 

^  At  11  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  11th  the  enemy  commenced  the  attack  on  the 
picket  line — Coh  J.  N.  Frazee. 

Capt.  Joseph  N.  Abbey,  Second  Pennsylvania  Heavy  Artillery  (at  Fort  Slocum), 
says:  "The  enemy  appeared  in  the  corner  of  the  woods  on  Seventli  street,  opposite 
Mr.  Blair's  house,  about  3,200  yards  in  front  of  this  fort  [evidently  Lay  house]." 

^  William  E.  Leach,  Company  K,  One  hundred  and  fiftieth  Ohio,  was  the  first  man 
wounded  on  picket,  and  died  shortly  afterwards.  (Vol.  37,  Series  I,  p.  245,  War  of 
the  Rebellion  Records. ) 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  49 

Seventh  street  wharf  to  meet  and  welcome  them.  How  they  cheered 
him,  and  how  warmly  he  greeted  them!  With  what  alacrity  both  offi- 
cers and  men  marched  to  reinforce  the  brave  defenders  on  the  firing- 
line!     Dr.  George  T.  Stevens,  the  historian  of  the  Sixth  Army  Corps, 

says: 

The  column  was  formed  and  we  marched  up  Seventli  street,  past  the  Smithsonian 
Institution,  the  Patent  Otfice,  and  the  Post-Office,  meeting  on  our  way  many  old 
friends  and  hearing  people  who  crowded  on  the  sidewalks  exclaiming:  "It  is  the  old 
Sixth  Corps!"  "These  are  the  men  who  took  Mayres  Heights!"  "The  danger  is 
over  now!"  AVashington  an  hour  before  was  in  a  panic;  now,  as  the  people  saAv  tlie 
veterans,  wearing  the  badge  of  the  Greek  cross,  marching  through  their  streets,  the 
excitement  subsided  and  confidence  prevailed. 

Thus  we  made  our  way  to  the  north  of  the  city,  the  sound  of  cannonading  in  (>ur 
front  stimulating  and  hastening  the  steps  of  the  men. 

Families  with  a  few  of  their  choicest  articles  of  household  furniture  loaded  into 
wagons  were  hastening  to  the  city,  reporting  that  their  houses  were  burned  or  that 
they  had  made  their  escape,  leaving  the  greater  part  of  their  goods  to  the  mercy  of 
the  rebel. 

We  reached  a  pine  grove  in  the  rear  of  Fort  De  Russy  and  made  our  bi\'ouac  for 
the  night.' 

Gen.  Frank  Whcaton,  in  his  report,  says: 

"While  marching  up  Pennsylvania  avenue,  in  compliance  with  the  instructions  of 
the  corps  commander,  I  was  halted  bj'  Colonel  Taylor,  chief  of  staff.  Department  of 
Washington,  and  informed  by  him  that  the  enemy  was  driving  in  our  picket  line 
and  seriously  threatening  Fort  Stevens  on  Seventh  street,  and  received  through  him 
General  Augur's  instructions  to  march  at  once  in  that  direction  instead  of  Chain 
Bridge,  as  first  ordered.  I  turned  my  brigade  up  Eleventh  street  [probably  Four- 
teenth], and  while  on  the  march  to  Fort  Stevens  was  passed  by  General  Wright, 
commanding  the  corps,  and  received  his  verbal  instructions  to  mass  near  Crystal 
Spring,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Stevens,  where  we  arrived  at  4  o'clock  in  the 
afteiinoon. 

At  5  p.  m.  the  force  outside  of  Fort  Stevens,  consisting  of  a  portion  of  the  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps,  War  Department  clerks,  and  citizen  volunteers,  was  driven  in  toward 
the  fort  by  a  portion  of  the  enemy's  forces  under  Early.  At  the  same  time  I  was 
ordered  to  move  500  men  of  my  brigade  out  to  recover  the  line  held  in  the  afternoon. 
This  was  successfully  accomi:)lished  before  7  o'clock  by  the  Ninety-eighth  Pennsy 
vania  Veteran  Volunteers,  Col.  J.  F.  Bailler;  One  hundred  and  second  Pennsylvania 
Veteran  Volunteers,  I\Taj.  Thomas  McLaughlin;  and  One  hundred  and  thirty-ninth 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  Capt.  James  iNIcGregor,  which  deployed  as  skirmishers  and 
drove  the  enemy's  advance  back  to  their  main  lines.  The  position  was  strengthened 
at  dark  by  the  Ninety-third  Pennsylvania  Veteran  A^olunteers,  Lieut.  Col.  J.  S.  Long, 
and  the  Sixty-second  New  York  Veteran  Volunteers,  Lieut.  Col.  T.  B.  Hamilton,  and 
extended  from  a  point  opposite  the  center  of  the  line  between  Forts  Stevens  and 
Reno  to  the  west  and  a  point  opposite  Fort  Slocum  on  the  east,  a  distance  of  about 
2  miles.     Skirmishing  continued  through  the  night. 

Camp  fires  in  considerable  nmiibers  were  reported  that  night  by  the 
telegraph  operator  at  Fort  Stevens. 

In  vain  had  Early  tried  all  the  afternoon  of  July  11  to  find  a  weak 

^  At  4  p.  m.  General  Wright  wired  General  Augur,  from  Fort  Stevens:  "The  head 
of  my  column  has  nearly  reached  the  front." 
P  1—03 4 


50  PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTKICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

spot  in  the  lines,  but  he  was  met  everywhere  by  the  fire  of  fort  guns 
and  musketrj^  The  works  he  reported  exceedingly  strong,  consisting 
of  what  appeared  to  be  inclosed  forts  for  heavy  artillery,  with  a  tier 
of  lower  works  in  front  of  each,  pierced  for  an  immense  number  of 
guns,  the  whole  being  connected  by  curtains  with  ditches  in  front  and 
strengthened  by  palisades  and  abattis.  The  timber  had  been  felled 
within  cannon  range  all  around  and  left  on  the  ground,  making  a  for- 
midable obstacle,  and  every  possible  approach  was  raked  by  artiller3\ 
On  the  right  was  Rock  Creek,  running  through  a  deep  ravine,  which 
had  been  rendered  impassable  b}'  the  felling  of  the  timber  on  each  side, 
and  be3^ond  were  the  works  on  the  Georgetown  pike,  which  had  been 
reported  to  be  the  strongest  of  all.  On  the  left,  as  far  as  the  eye  could 
reach,  the  works  appeared  to  be  of  the  same  impregnable  character. 

Early  thereupon  held  a  consultation  with  his  generals,  Brecken- 
ridge,  Rodes,  Ramseur,  and  Gordon,  pointing  out  the  necessity  of 
action  before  the  fords  and  mountain  passes  were  closed  against  them. 
In  concluding  he  announced  his  purpose  of  making  an  assault  at  day- 
light. During  the  night  a  dispatch  was  received  from  Bradley  T.  John- 
son, near  Baltimore,  stating  that  two  corps  of  Grant's  army  had  arrived 
in  Washington.  This  caused  a  delay  in  the  attack,  and,  when  exam- 
ining the  works  at  daylight,  July  12,  General  Early  saw  the  parapets 
lined  with  troops,  he  says  he  then  determined  to  abandon  the  idea  of 
capturing  Washington.^ 

A  distinguished  writer,  who  was  at  Brightwood  during  the  battle, 
says: 

July  12  came,  bright  and  glorious.  The  First  Brigade  of  our  Second  Division  and 
our  sharj^shooters  were  on  the  picket  in  front  of  Fort  Stevens,  the  Second  and  Third 
Brigades  still  enjoying  the  delightful  shades  of  the  groves  in  the  rear  of  Fort  De  Russy. 
From  the  parapet  of  Fort  Stevens  could  be  seen  the  lines  of  rebel  skirmishers,  from 
whose  rifles  the  white  puffs  of  smoke  rose  as  they  discharged  their  i^ieces  at  our 
pickets.  The  valley  beyond  presented  a  scene  of  surpassing  loveliness,  with  the 
rich  green  meadows,  its  field  of  waving  corn,  its  orchards,  and  its  groves. 

The  principal  force  of  the  enemy  seemed  to  be  in  front  of  Fort  Stevens;  there  it 
was  determined  to  give  them  battle. 

About  5  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  (July  12)  General  Wright  ordered  General 
Wheaton  to  drive  back  the  Confederate  skirmish  line  and  occupy  the  wooded  points 
near  the  road,  which,  being  so  near  our  intrenchments,  gave  the  enemy  advantage 
of  position;  thereupon.  Colonel  Bidwell  was  instructed  to  have  the  Third  Brigade 
move  outside  of  the  fort  and  form,  under  cover  of  a  ravine  and  woods,  in  two  lines 
directly  in  the  rear  of  the  First  Brigade,  on  the  skirmish  line.  Colonel  Bidwell  was 
also  directed  to  select  three  of  his  best  regiments  to  assist  in  the  assault,  the  remain 
ing  portion  of  the  brigade  to  be  held  to  supi^ort  the  general  movement. 

According  to  General  Wheaton — 

The  Seventh  Maine,  Forty-third  New  York,  Lieut.  Col.  J.  D.  Visscher,  and  Forty- 
ninth  New  York,  Lieut.  Col.  G.  W.  Johnston,  were  skillfully  placed  in  position  near 

^  It  has  been  stated  that  this  report  grew  out  of  the  publication  of  a  fictitious  tele- 
gram, care  being  taken  that  a  sufficient  number  of  papers  got  into  the  hands  of 
Southern  sympathizers,  when  the  edition  was,  in  a  public  manner,  suppressed. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  '  51 

the  skirmish  line  under  the  direction  of  Colonel  Bidwell  without  the  enemy  discover- 
ing the  movement. 

A  preconcerted  signal  was  made  by  a  staff  officer  when  these  regiments  were  in 
position,  at  which  time  the  batteries  from  Forts  Stevens  and  Slocum  opened  fire  upon 
certain  indicated  points,  strongly  held  by  the  enemy. 

As  had  been  previously  arranged,  after  the  thirty-sixth  shot  from  Fort  Steveins  had 
been  fired,  a  signal  was  made  from  the  parapet  of  that  work  and  the  commander  of 
the  skirmish  line  and  three  assaulting  regiments  dashed  forward,  surprising  and  hotly 
engaging  the  enemy,  who  was  found  to  be  much  stronger  than  supposed.  It  became 
necessary  to  deploy  immediately  the  three  remaining  regiments — the  Seventy-seventh 
New  York,  Lieutenant-Colonel  French;  One  hundred  and  twenty-second  New  York, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  D wight,  and  Sixty-first  Pennsylvania  Volunteers — of  Bidwell' s 
brigade  on  the  right  of  those  he  had  already  in  the  action,  and  the  picket  reserve  of 
150  men  from  the  One  hundred  and  second  Pennsylvania  Volmiteers  and  a  detach- 
ment of  80  men  from  the  Vermont  brigade  to  support  the  skirmish  line  immediately 
on  the  right  and  left  of  the  pike.  The  enemy's  stubborn  resistance  showed  that  a 
farther  advance  than  already  made  would  require  more  troops,  and  two  regiments 
were  sent  for.  Before  their  arrival,  however  (the  Thirty -seventh  Massachusetts 
Volunteers,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Montague,  and  Second  Rhode  Island,  Capt.  E.  H. 
Rhodes),  an  aid-de-camp  from  General  Wright  directed  me  not  to  attempt  more 
than  holding  of  the  position  I  had  gained,  as  the  object  of  the  attack  had  been 
accomplished  and  the  important  points  captured  and  held. 

This  whole  attack  was  as  gallant  as  it  was  successful,  and  the  troops  never  evinced 
more  energy  and  determination.  The  losses  were  very  severe,  the  brave  Colonel 
Bidwell  losing  many  of  his  most  valuable  regimental  commanders.  *  *  *  The 
last  shot  was  fired  about  10  o'clock,  and  the  remainder  of  the  night  was  occupied  in 
strengthening  the  position,  burying  the  dead,  caring  for  the  wounded,  and  relieving 
the  skirmish  line,  which  had  been  two  days  in  front  constantly  under  fire,  by  troops 
of  the  Second  Vermont  Brigade. 

In  concluding  his  report  General  Wheaton  says: 

Of  the  brave  men  of  this  command,  who  have  so  promptly  and  gallantly  engaged 
the  enemy,  I  can  not  speak  in  too  high  terms  of  praise. 

They  have  never  faltered  in  battle  nor  murmured  at  the  fatigues  and  hardships 
which  they  have  been  called  upon  to  endure.  They  have  nobly  earned  the  admira- 
tion of  their  commander  and  the  gratitude  of  the  nation. 

Dr.  Stevens  describes  the  attack  in  these  words: 

The  fiag  of  the  Seventy-seventh  New  York  waived  the  signal  of  readiness,  the 
heavy  ordnance  in  the  fort  sent  volley  after  volley  of  32-pound  shells  howling 
over  the  heads  of  our  men  into  the  midst  of  the  rebels,  and  through  the  house  where 
so  many  of  them  had  foiuid  shelter,  and  then  at  the  command  of  "Sedgwick's  Man 
of  Iron,"  the  brave  fellows  started  eagerly  forward.  They  reached  and  passed  the 
skirmishers,  and  the  white  puffs  of  smoke  and  the  sharp  crack  of  their  rifles  became 
more  and  more  frequent,  first  the  rattle  of  an  active  skirmish  and  then  the  con- 
tinuous roar  of  a  musketry  battle. 

In  magnificent  order  and  with  light  steps  they  ran  forward  up  the  ascent,  tiirough 
the  orchard,  through  the  little  grove  on  the  right,  over  the  rail  fence,  up  to  the 
road,  making  straight  for  the  first  objective  point,  the  frame  house  [Lay]  in  front. 
The  rebels  at  first  stood  their  ground,  then  gave  way  before  the  impetuous  charge, 
and  though  forced  to  seek  safety  in  flight,  turned  and  poured  their  volleys  into  the 
ranks  of  the  pursuers.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Johnson,  commanding  the  Forty-ninth 
New  York,  a  brave  man  who  had  never  shrunk  from  danger,  and  who  shared  all 
the  various  fortunes  of  the  brigade  since  its  organization,  fell  mortally  wounded. 
Colonel  Visscher,  of  the  Forty-third  New  York,  who  had  but  lately  succeeded  the 


52  '  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

beloved  AVilson,  was  killed.  Major  James  P.  Jones,  commanding  the  Seventh  Maine, 
was  also  among  the  slain;  andMajorCrosby,  commanding  the  Sixty-first  Pennsylvania, 
who  had  just  recovered  from  a  bad  wound  which  he  received  in  the  Wilderness,  was 
taken  to  the  hospital,  where  the  surgeon  removed  his  left  arm  at  the  shoulder. 
Colonel  French,  of  the  Seventy-seventh  New  York,  was  injured.  The  commanding 
officer  of  every  regiment  in  the  brigade  was  either  killed  or  wounded. 

The  fight  had  lasted  but  a  few  ininutes  when  the  stream  of  bleeding,  mangled  ones 
began  to  come  to  the  rear.  Men  leaning  upon  the  shoulders  of  comrades  or  borne 
painfully  on  stretchers,  the  pallor  of  their  countenances  rendered  more  ghastly  by 
the  thick  dust  which  settled  upon  them,  were  brought  into  the  hospitals  by  scores, 
where  the  medical  officers,  ever  active  in  administering  relief  to  their  companions, 
were  hard  at  work  binding  uj)  ghastly  wounds,  administering  stimulants,  coffee,  and 
food,  or  resorting  to  the  hard  necessity  of  amputation. 

At  the  suinmit  of  the  ascent  the  Confederates  were  strengthened  by  their  second 
line  of  battle,  and  here  they  made  a  stout  resistance.  But  even  this  position  they 
were  forced  to  abandon  in  haste,  and  as  darkness  closed  in  upon  the  scene  our  men 
were  left  as  victors  in  possession  of  the  ground  lately  occupied  by  the  rebels,  having 
driven  their  adversaries  more  than  a  mile. 

The  Vermont  brigade  now  came  to  the  relief  of  the  boys  who  had  so  gallantly 
won  the  field,  and  the  Third  Brigade  returned  at  midnight  to  the  bivouac  it  had  left 
in  the  morning.  But  not  all  returned.  Many  of  those  brave  men  who  went  with 
such  alacrity  into  the  battle  had  fallen  to  rise  no  more,  in  the  orchard,  in  the  road, 
about  the  frame  house,  and  upon  the  summit  where  the  rebels  had  made  so  deter- 
mined a  resistance;  their  forms  were  stretched  upon  the  greensward  and  upon  the 
dusty  road,  stiff  and  cold.  Many  more  had  come  to  the  hospital  severely  injured, 
maimed  for  life,  or  mortally  wounded.^     (Appendix  B. ) 

The  little  brigade,  numbering  only  a  thousand  men  when  it  went  into  action,  had 
lost  250  of  its  number.  *  *  *  We  gathered  our  dead  comrades  from  the  field 
where  they  had  fallen  and  gave  them  the  rude  burial  of  the  soldier  on  the  common 
near  Fort  Stevens.  No  officer  of  state,  no  lady  of  wealth,  no  citizen  of  Washington, 
was  there;  but  we  laid  them  in  their  graves  within  sight  of  the  Capitol,  without 
coffins,  with  only  their  gory  garments  and  their  blankets  around  them.  AVith  the 
rude  tenderness  of  soldiers,  we  covered  them  in  the  earth  and  marked  their  names 
with  our  pencils  on  the  little  headboards  of  pine  and  turned  sadly  away  to  other 
scenes. 

Land  of  Earth's  hope. 

On  the  blood-reddened  sod. 

They  died  for  the  nation. 

The  Union,  and  God.     *    *     * 

Oh,  that  last  charge! 

^On  July  11,  twenty  shots  were  fired  from  the  guns  of  Fort  Stevens — fourteen 
30-pound  and  six  24-pound.  Of  these  five  were  fired  at  the  Confederates  in  a  grove 
1,050  yards  distant,  six  24:-pound  and  two  30-pound  shots  were  fired  at  them  in  the 
rear  of  the  old  target,  one  in  the  i^ike  in  front  of  the  target,  two  at  2,000  yards  dis- 
tance, one  at  the  skirmish  line  behind  an  orchard,  one  at  the  Carberry  house  (Lay), 
and  two  in  their  midst  at  the  distance  of  1,254  yards. 

On  July  12,  67  shots  were  fired,  30  of  them  at  the  Carberry  or  Lay  house,  which 
was  set  on  fire  by  shots  from  a  mortar;  15  at  the  Reeves  house  (B.  H.  Warner's 
house),  1,078  yards;  4  on  the  groimd  at  the  right  of  the  pike,  1,050  yards;  2  in  the 
ravine  in  the  rear  of  the  Lay  house;  10  at  the  carriage  shop;  2  solid  shots  at  the  old 
camp,  and  4  at  the  column  en  masse.  Fort  De  Eussy  fired  109  shots;  Fort  Slocum, 
53.  General  Early  occupied  the  F.  P.  Blair  house  for  his  headquarters;  General 
Imboden,  the  James  Blair  house. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  53 

On  an  eminence  in  the  rear  of  the  Confederate  advance  was  John  C. 
Breckinridg-e,  the  candidate  receiving  the  votes  of  the  seceding  States 
for  President,  expecting  to  enter  the  capital  with  the  Army  of  North- 
ern Virginia. 

On  the  parapet  of  Fort  Stevens,  by  the  side  of  General  Wright, 
amid  the  whizzing  bullets,  stood  the  successful  candidate  in  that  great 
political  struggle,  Abraham  Lincoln,  watching,  with  that  "grave  and 
pensive  countenance,"'  the  progress  of  the  battle. 

Four  years  ago,  in  company  with  the  old  commander  of  the  Sixth 
Corps  and  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Rosa  Wright  Smith;  Gen.  D.  S.  Stanley, 
Capt.  Thomas  Wilson,  Dr.  C.  G.  Stone,  and  James  E.  Kelly,  the  well- 
known  sculptor  of  American  history,  I  stood  upon  that  same  parapet. 
After  contemplating  the  surroundings.  General  Wright  said: 

There  near  the  pike  was  the  woods  that  was  so  full  of  Early's  men;  along  this  slope 
is  where  our  skirmishers  deployed;  there  a  house  was  burned,  there  another,  and 
still  another^  over  these  trenches  went  the  brave  soldiers  of  the  Sixth  Corps.  Where 
is  the  tree?  I  can  not  find  the  tree  from  which  a  sharpshooter  picked  off  my  men. 
The  old  tollgate  has  gone  also. 

He  paced  up  and  down  the  top  of  the  crumbling  earthworks  for 
awhile,  as  if  to  satisfy  himself  in  regard  to  some  fact,  then  said: 

Here  on  the  top  of  this  parapet,  between  this  old  embrasure  and  that,  is  the  place 
where  President  Lincoln  stood,  witnessing  the  fight;  there,  by  his  side,  a  surgeon  was 
wounded  by  a  minie  ball. 

I  entreated  the  President  not  to  expose  his  life  to  the  bullets  of  the  enemy;  but 
he  seemed  oblivious  to  his  surroundings;  finally,  when  I  found  that  my  entreaties 
failed  to  make  any  impression  on  him,  I  said,  "  Mr.  President,  I  know  you  are  com- 
mander of  the  armies  of  the  United  States,  but  I  am  in  command  here,  and  as  you 
are  not  safe  where  you  are  standing,  and  I  am  responsible  for  your  personal  safety,  I 
order  you  to  come  down."  Mr.  Lincoln  looked  at  me,  smiled,  and  then,  more  in 
consideration  of  my  earnestness  than  from  inclination,  stepped  dowm  and  took  posi- 
tion behind  the  parapet.  Even  then  he  would  persist  in  standing  up  and  exposing 
his  tall  form. 

That  old  parapet,  identified  by  Horatio  G.  Wright,  stands  to-day, 
and  for  history's  sake  should  be  preserved  for  a  park  on  the  only 
battlefield  in  the  District  of  Columbia.^  It  should  be  called  after  that 
benignant  man  of  the  people,  Abraham  Lincoln. 

Men  who  wore  the  graj-,  when  Lincoln  died  the  South  lost  its  best 
friend.  He  saw  joii  deploy  and  gallantly  charge  almost  to  those 
intrenchments,  then  help  save  and  mark  the  point  nearest  Washington 
reached  by  the  soldiers  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia. 

Heroic  defenders  of  Fort  Stevens  and  Washington,  you  who  held 
the  fort  on  July  10  and  11,  and  you,  the  gallant  soldiers  of  the  Sixth 
and  Nineteenth  Army  Corps,  join  together  once  more  and  save  the  old 
fortifications  over  which  you  and  3'our  comrades  charged  to  victory,  as 
a  monument  to  the  bravery  of  the  American  soldier — a  united  North 
and  South. 

^Address  by  W.  V.  Cox  at  flag  presentation,  Brightwood  engine  company,  August 
6,  1897." 


54  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

DEFENDERS   OF   WASHINGTON 

On  July  10,  1864,  there  were— 

Nortli  of  Poto Iliac. — The  One  hundred  and  fiftieth,  One  hundred  and 
fifty-first,  One  hundred  and  seventieth  regiments  Ohio  National 
Guard;  15  companies  heavy  artillery  (volunteer);  2  companies  light 
artillery;  2  companies  United  States  artiller}^,  all  under  command  of 
Brig.  Gen.  M.  D.  Hardin,  with  an  efi'ective  force,  1,819  infantry,  1,831 
artillery,  and  63  cavalry. 

South  of  Potomac. — The  One  hundred  and  thirtj^-sixth,  One  hun- 
dred and  forty-fifth,  One  hundred  and  forty-seventh,  One  hundred 
and  sixty-fourth,  One  hundred  and  sixty-sixth.  One  hundred  and 
sixtj'-ninth  Ohio  National  Guard;  6  companies  heavy  volunteer  artil- 
lery; 12  companies  light  volunteer  artillery;  2  companies  United  States 
artillery,  commanded  by  Brig.  Gen.  G.  A.  De  Kussy,  an  effective 
force  of  1,061  infantry,  1,772  artillery,  51  cavalry. 

In  addition  to  these  there  were  in  Washington  and  Alexandria 
about  3,900  effectives  (First  and  Second  District  of  Columbia  Volun 
teers,  Veteran  Reserves,  and  detachments)  doing  guard  duty  under 
Generals  Wisewell  and  Slough,  and  6  regiments  Veteran  Reserves, 
about  4,100  men.  At  the  artiller}"  camps  (Barry)  there  were  5  field 
batteries — 627  men. 

A  brigade  of  cavalry,  consisting  of  Second  Massachusetts  and  Six- 
teenth New  York,  numbering  800  effective  men,  was  posted  near  Falls 
Church  and  commanded  by  Col.  C.  R.  Lowell,  who  resisted  to  the 
utmost  Early's  progress  and  never  hesitated  to  attack  when  it  was 
desired  to  develop  the  enemy's  force.  *  *  *  The  Eighth  Illinois 
Cavalry,  under  Colonel  Gamble,  was  at  Fort  Stoneman  awaiting  equip- 
ment. A  part  of  this  regiment  was  sent  to  Rockville  and  other  points 
to  observe  the  enemy.  The  other  part  was  ordered  to  report  to 
McCook,  at  Brightwood.  The  entire  force  numbered  about  20,400 
men,  an  inefficient  force  for  service  on  the  lines.  (Defenses  of  Wash- 
ington, p.  107,  Barnard.) 

General  McCook  in  his  report  gives  the  following  as  the  strength  of 
the  Federal  troops  (War  of  the  Rebellion,  Vol.  XXXVII,  Series  I, 
p.  235): 

Right  of  Fort  Stevens: 

Provisional  brigade,  Colonel  Price 2,  800 

Second  District  Regiment,  Colonel  Alexander 550 

Twelfth  Veteran  Reserve,  Colonel  Farnsworth 550 

Quartermaster  employees 1,  800 

Battery  L,  First  Ohio",  2  guns 121 

Seventh  Michigan  Cavalry,  Major  Darling 450 

Left  of  Fort  Stevens: 

Second  Vermont 232 

Third  Vermont 272 

One  hundred  and  forty-seventh  Ohio 465 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  55 

Left  of  Fort  Stevens — Continued. 

Ninth  A''eteran  Reserve 350 

One  hundred  and  fifty-seventh  Ohio 18-4 

First  Maine  Battery,  2  guns 112 

Total 7,  886 

Onh'  a  portion  of  the  Sixth  and  Nineteenth  Arm}"  Corps  were  in 
front  of  Washing-ton  on  July  11  and  12,  1864.  (See  War  Records  of 
the  Rebellion,  Vol.  XXXVII.) 

FORCES    ENGAGED. 

General  Wallace  estimated  the  force  that  confronted  him  at  INIonoc- 
acy  at  20,000. 

General  McCook  in  his  report  tixes  the  number  at  30,000  in  front  of 
Washington. 

General  Couch  states  that  there  were  60  pieces  of  artiller}-  actually 
counted  in  passing  South  Mountain. 

General  Early  claims  to  have  had  but  8,000  muskets,  40  pieces  of 
artillery,  manned  b}"  600  or  700  men,  and  2,000  cavalry. 

The  accuracy  of  these  figures  has  been  questioned.  General  Sheri- 
dan characterizes  the  numbers  as  falsifying  history. 

A  Southern  writer  makes  the  total  13,500. 

Col.  R.  D.  Cults,  of  General  Halleck's  stall',  made  a  careful  estimate 
of  Earh^'s  numbers  from  data  from  Generals  Couch,  Sigel,  and  Howe, 
when  Early  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Harpers  Ferry. 

He  says  that  between  the  3d  and  18th  of  July,  during  the  interval 
between  the  crossing  of  the  Potomac  and  their  retreat  beyond  the 
Shenandoah,  the  total  number  of  prisoners,  including  wounded  and 
captured  from  Earlv's  command,  was  1,255  officers  and  men,  the  name, 
rank,  and  regiment  in  each  case  having  been  caref  uUn^  ascertained  and 
recorded. 

These  prisoners  represented  99  regiments  of  infantry,  36  of  cavahy, 
and  10  of  artillery  organizations,  besides  5  or  6  separate  battalions 
not  specified  as  belonging  to  any  particular  arm  of  the  service;  and 
estimating  the  strength  of  each  regiment  at  180  officers,  and  men  of 
the  cavalry  at  100,  and  of  the  artillery,  60  guns,  at  100  for  each  bat- 
tery (being  actually  less  in  each  arm  than  that  reported  b}-  prisoners), 
the  following  aggregate  numbers  result: 

99  regiments  of  infantry ._ 17,  820 

36  regiments  of  cavalry 3,  600 

Artillery,  60  guns 1,  000 

22, 420 

(Defenses  of  Washington,  p.  120-121.) 

General  Sheridan  produced  the  receipt  of  the  provost-marshal- 
general  of  the  department  for  13,000  prisoners  captured  from  Early's 
command  during  the  Washington  campaign.  (Ohio  in  War,  Vol.  I, 
p.  522.) 


56  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

THE    OPPOSING    FORCES    AT   THE    MONOCACT,  MARYLAND 

[July  9, 1864.] 

THE    CONFEDERATE    ARMY,    LIEUT.   GEN.   JUBAL    A.   EARLY. 

Gmnlons  division^  (Ma j.  Gen,  John  B.  Gordon). — Evans's  brigade, 
Brig.  Gen.  C.  A.  Evans,  Col.  E.  N.  Atkinson:  Thirteenth  Georgia; 
Twenty-sixth  Georgia,  Col.  E.  N.  Atkinson;  Thirty-first  Georgia, 
Thirty-eighth  Georgia,  Sixtieth  Georgia;  Sixty-first  Georgia,  Col. 
J.  H.  Lamar;  Twelfth  Georgia,  battalion.  Ha3^s's  brigade,^ Col.  W.  R. 
Peck:  Fifth  Louisiana,  Sixth  Louisiana,  Seventh  Louisiana,  Eighth 
Louisiana,  Ninth  Louisiana.  Staflbrd's  brigade:"  First  Louisiana, 
Second  Louisiana,  Tenth  Louisiana,  Fourteenth  Louisiana,  Fifteenth 
Louisiana.  Terry's  brigade,^  Brig.  Gen.  William  Terr}^:  Second, 
Fourth,  Fifth,  Twenty-seventh,  and  Thirty-third  Virginia  (Stonewall 
brigade).  Col.  J.  H.  S.  Funk;  Twenty-first,  Twenty-fifth,  Forty-sec- 
ond, Forty-fourth,  Forty-eighth,  and  Fiftieth  Virginia  (J.  M.  Jones's 
brigade).  Col.  R.  H.  Dungan;  Tenth,  Twenty-third,  and  Thirty-seventh 
Virginia  (Steuart's  brigade),  Lieut.  Col.  S.  H.  Saunders. 

Breckenvindge's  division^  (Brig.  Gen.  John  Echols). — Consisted  of 
Echols's,  Wharton's,  and  Vaughn's  brigades,  the  latter  being  dismounted 
cavalry. 

Modes' s  Dwisio)i  (Maj.  Gen.  R.  E.  Rodes). — Grimes's  Brigade: 
Thirty-second  North  Carolina,  Fortj^-third  North  Carolina,  Fortj^-fifth 
North  Carolina,  Fifty-third  North  Carolina,  Second  North  Carolina 
Battalion.  Cook's  Brigade:  Fourth  Georgia,  Twelfth  Georgia,  Twenty- 
first  Georgia,  Fortj^-fourth  Georgia.  Cox's  Brigade:  First  North 
Carolina,  Second  North  Carolina,  Third  North  Carolina,  Fourth  North 
Carolina,  Fourteenth  North  Carolina,  Thirtieth  North  Carolina.  Bat- 
tle's Brigade:  Third  Alabama,  Fifth  Alabama,  Sixth  Alabama,  Twelfth 
Alabama,  Sixty-first  Alabama. 

Hamseur^s  Division  (Maj.  Gen.  S.  D.  Ramseur). — Lilley's  Brigade: 
Thirteenth  Virginia,  Thirty-first  Virginia,  Forty-ninth  Virginia,  Fifty- 
second  Virginia,  Fifty-eighth  Virginia.  Johnston's  Brigade:  Fifth 
North  Carolina,  Twelfth  North  Carolina,  Twentieth  North  Carolina, 
Twenty-third  North  Carolina.  Lewis's  Brigade:  Sixth  North  Caro- 
lina, Twenty-first  North  Carolina,  Fifty-fourth  North  Carolina,  Fifty- 
seventh  North  Carolina,  First  North  Carolina  Battalion. 

Cavalry  (Maj.  Gen.  Robert  Ransom). — Composed  of  the  brigades 
of  McCausland,  Luboden,  W.  L.  Jackson,  and  Bradle}"  T.  Johnson. 
The  latter  brigade  was  sent  before  the  battle  "to  cut  the  Northern 
Central  and  the  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore  railroads." 

^Maj.  Gen.  John  C.  Breckenridge  commanded  Gordon's  and  Echols's  divisions. 
^United  under  the  command  of  Brig.  Gen.  Zebulon  York. 

^Composed  of  the  "fragmentary  remains  of  fourteen  of  the  regiments  of  Edward 
Johnson's  division,  most  of  which  was  captured  by  the  enemy  May  12,  1S64." 
*  Composition  not  clearly  indicated. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  57 

Artillery  (Lieut.  Col.  J.  Floyd  King-).— Composed  of  Nelson's,  Brax- 
ton's, and  McLaughlin's  battalions. 

With  the  forces  above  enumerated  General  Early  continued  his 
movement  on  Washington. 

In  his  official  report  he  says  that  in  the  action  at  the  Monocacy  "our 
entire  loss  was  between  600  and  700,  including  the  cavalry,"  and  that 
when  in  front  of  Washington  "my  infantry  force  did  not  exceed 
10,000."     (Battles  and  Leaders  of  the  Civil  War,  Vol.  IV,  p.  499.) 

LOSSES. 

Gen.  Frank  Wheaton  reports  the  killed  and  wounded  of  the  First 
and  Third  Brigades,  Sixth  Corps,  as  .59  killed,  145  wounded. 

Dr.  Robert  Reyburn  gives  the  casualties  of  the  Twenty-second  Corps 
as  12  killed,  61  wounded. 

The  Twenty-tilth  New  York  Cavalry  suffered  severely  on  July  11, 
Mr.  T.  Raymond,  New  York,  gives  the  number  as  17  killed,  23 
wounded.  There  are  5  of  this  regiment  buried  at  Battle-Ground 
Cemeterv,  and  others  who  died  from  wounds  received  before  Fort 
Stevens  are  said  to  be  buried  at  the  Soldiers'  Home  and  Arlington. 
This  regiment  bore  the  brunt  of  the  early  lighting.^ 

Genera]  Meigs  reported  1  killed  and  1  wounded.  The  Eighth  Illinois 
Cavalry  lost  men,  as  well  as  the  One  hundred  and  fiftieth  and  other 
Ohio  regiments  not  mentioned  by  Dr.  Reyburn.  I  estimate  the  total 
killed  and  wounded  to  have  been  about  400. 

Since  writing  the  above  I  find  the  following  in  the  Civil  War  in  the 
United  States,  Volume  XXIII: 

CHRONOLOGICAL    SUMMARY. 
[Compiled  from  official  records.] 

Fort  Stevens,  Washington,  D.  C. — Twenty-second  Corps,  First  and  Second  Divisions, 
Sixth  Corps,  marines,  home  guards,  citizens,  and  convalescents. 

Union:  54  kihed,  319  womided. 

Confederate:  500  killed  and  wounded. 

Among  the  Union  officers  killed  were  Lieut.  Col.  J.  D.  Visscher,  Forty-third  New 
York  Volunteers;  Lieut.  Col.  G.  M.  Johnson,  Forty-ninth  New  York  Volunteers; 
Maj.  James  P.  Jones,  Seventh  Maine  Volunteers;  First  Lieut.  John  E.  Bailey,  Sev- 
enth Maine  Volunteers;  First  Lieut.  David  E.  Lambert,  jr.,  Forty-ninth  New  York 
Volunteers;  Second  Lieut.  William  Laughlin,  Sixty-first  Pennsylvania  Volunteers. 

Among  the  officers  wounded  Avere  Col.  J.  F.  Baillier,  Ninety-eighth  Pennsylvania 
Volunteers;  Lieut.  William  Wilson,  Ninety-eighth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers;  Capt. 
Martm  Hanimer,  Ninety-eighth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers;  Assistant  Surgeon  C.  C.  V. 
Crawford,  One  hundred  and  second  Pennsylvania  Volunteers;  Maj.  J.  W.  Crosby, 
Sixty-first  Pennsylvania  Volunteers;  Capt.  Davis  Cossitt,  One  hundred  and  twenty- 

^Assistant  Secretary  Dana  wired  General  Grant,  July  14:  "Our  total  losses  by  the 
siege  amount  to  500  killed  and  wounded."     (Vol.  37,  series  2,  p.  303.) 


58  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

second  New  York  Volunteers;  Capt.  George  H.  Baker,  Seventh  Maine  Volunteers; 
Lieut.  Col.  W.  B.  French,  Seventy-seventh  Nevi^  York  Volunteers. 

Cai^tain  Clark,  Sixth  Veteran  Reserve,  was  wounded  while  attempting  to  take  a 
barn  near  Rock  Creek. 

Lieut.  H.  M.  Nevius,  Twenty-fifth  New  York  Cavalry,  lost  an  arm  on  July  11, 
near  the  McChesney  Spring,  left  of  the  pike. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

The  War  of  the  Rebellion,  vol.  37,  Series  I,  parts  1  and  2. 

Defenses  of  Washington,  J.  G.  Barnard.     Washington,  Government  Printing  Office, 

1871. 
Battles  and  Leaders  of  the  Civil  War,   Robert  U.  Johnson  and  Clarence  C.  Buel. 

Centurj^  Company,  New  York. 
The  Civil  War  in  the  United  States,  Bryan.     Taylor  Company,  New  York. 
Greeley's  American  Conflict. 
Draper's  Civil  War  in  America. 
Lossing's  Civil  War. 
Life  of  Lincoln,  Nicolay  and  Hay. 

Personal  Memoirs  of  U.  S.  Grant.     Century  Company,  New  York. 
Washington  in  Lincoln's  Time,  Noah  Brooks.     Century  Company,  New  York,  1895. 
Three  Years  in  the  Sixth  Corps,  Dr.  George  T.  Stevens.     Van  Nostrand,  New  York. 
Official  Roster,  Soldiers  of  the  State  of  Ohio  in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  1861-1866. 

Werner  Company,  Akron,  Ohio,  1893. 
Ohio  in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  Whitelaw  Rei(L     Moore,  Wilstach  &  Baldwin, 

Cincinnati,  1868. 
Memoirs  of  the  Coirfederate  War  for  Independence,  H.  Von  Borcke.     Lippincott  & 

Co.,  1867. 
General  Early  in  National  Republican,  Washington,  August  4,  1881. 
Charles  A.  Dana,  McClure's  Magazine,  May,  1898. 
A  Reminiscence  of  Washington  and  Early's  Attack  in  1864,  Edgar  S.  Dudley,  First 

Lieutenant  Second  United  States  Artillery.     Peter  G.  Thomson,  Cincinnati,  1884. 
Early's  Raid  on  Washington.     A  Leaf  from  History.     Colonel  Chamberlain,  Twenty- 
fifth  New  York  Cavalry.     The  Republic,  Washington,  March,  1877. 
The  American  Soldier  in  the  Civil  War,  Eldridge  S.  Brooks. 
History  of  the  Seventy-sixth  New  York  Volunteers,  by  Lieut.  A.  P.  Smith. 
Washington  Sketch  Book.     Blanchard  &  Mohun. 
Handy  Guide  to  Washington.     Rand,  McNally  &  Co. 
New  York  Tribune,  July,  1864. 
New  York  Herald,  July,  1864. 
The  Evening  Star,  Washington,  July,  1864. 
The  Chronicle,  Washington,  July,  1864. 
National  Intelligencer,  Washington,  July,  1864. 
Harper's  Weekly,  July,  1864. 
Frank  Leslie's,  July,  1864. 

Contributors  in  the  National  Tribune,  Washington. 
Contributors  in  the  local  papers  of  Washington. 
Letters  from  jiarticipants;  interviews  with  same. 
Maj.  H^E.  Alvord,  U.  S.  Volunteers,  "Early's  Attack  upon  Washington,  July,  1864." 

War  Papers,  No.  26  Commandery,  D.  C,  1897. 
A  Memoir  of  the  Last  Year  of  the  War  for  Independence  in  the  Confederate  States  of 

America.     Lynchburg,  1867,  C.  AV.  Britton. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  59 

LATEST   ACTION. 

Since  the  above  was  written  the  Fort  Stevens-Lincoln  National  Park 
Association  has  been  organized,  with  Gen.  Thomas  M.  Vincent  as 
president.  ■ 

[Extract  from  the  Evening  Star.] 

The  executive  committee  of  the  Fort  Stevens-Lincoln  National  Park 
Association  held  a  meeting  yesterday  afternoon  at  the  rooms  of  the 
board  of  trade  in  the  Star  building,  Gen.  Thomas  M.  Vincent  in  the 
chair  and  Maj.  A.  S.  Perham  acting  as  secretary. 

Dr.  C.  V.  Petteys  presented  a  bill  looking  to  the  establishment  of  a 
battlefield  park,  and  explained  its  features  in  detail  and  the  changes 
made  in  it  to  meet  the  wishes  of  the  participants  in  the  battles  in  front 
of  Washington. 

Gen.  Frank  Wheaton,  who  commanded  a  brigade  in  the  Sixth  Corps 
under  General  Wright,  gave  a  most  interesting  account  of  the  engage- 
ments of  July  11  and  12,  1861,  when  Gen.  Jubal  Early  came  so  near 
capturing  Washington  City.  He  told  how  President  Lincoln  persisted 
in  standing  on  the  parapet  of  Fort  Stevens  watching  the  engagement 
and  how  anxious  General  Wright  was  .to  have  him  stand  behind  rather 
than  on  top  of  the  parapet.  Lincoln,  he  said,  was  a  good  soldier  and 
had  rendered  excellent  service  in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  when  the 
battle  was  on  in  front  of  Fort  Stevens  his  early  training  as  a  soldier 
seemed  to  assert  itself  and  he  demonstrated  unmistakably  that  he  was 
totally  devoid  of  fear. 

Capt.  Henry  B.  Looker  explained  a  series  of  maps  (A)  (B)  (C) 
prepared  for  the  committee.  He  said  the  plan  presented  to  him  was 
to  cover  the  entire  line  of  the  engagement  from  Fort  Reno  on  the  left 
to  Fort  Totten  on  the  right  during  the  siege  of  Washington  b}^  General 
Earh".  The  United  States  now  possesses  holdings  from  Fort  Reno 
to  Battle-Ground  Cemetery,  over  one-half  of  the  line  engaged,  and 
Captain  Looker  was  asked  to  complete  the  line  of  defense  by  making 
maps  to  include  the  site  of  Fort  Stevens  and  the  earthworks  still  stand- 
ing east  of  Fort  Stevens  and  Fort  Totten,  the  last  being  the  best  pre- 
served fort  of  the  civil  war  in  the  District  of  Columbia.  About  25 
acres  of  ground  would  be  required  for  this  purpose,  and  the  maps  had 
been  made  in  harmony  with  the  street-extension  plan. 

Col.  John  McElroy  thought  more  ground  should  be  secured  than 
proposed,  as  the  engagement  at  Fort  Stevens  meant  everything  for  the 
capital  and  the  nation  during  the  war  and  much  now.  The  plan,  he 
argued,  should  be  on  the  broadest  lines  possible. 

Maj.  H.  N.  Alvord  spoke  of  the  battle  in  which  his  regiment  took 
part  and  urged  that  the  line  of  l)attle  should  be  marked.  Fort  Stevens 
battlefield  being  one  of  the  most  interesting,  historically,  of  any  battle 
in  the  civil  war  that  remained  unmarked. 


60 


PARK   SYSTEM    OF   THE   DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


Sca/e: 

/oo        soo  /T 

ll  I  I    -I  • 


PLAT   OF   PROROSED   RESERVATION   AT   FORT  STEPHEN    BATTLE   FIELD,   NEAR 
BRIGHTWOOD,  D.  C. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


61 


62  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


PLAT   OF    PROPOSED    RESERVATION    AT    FORT   TOTTEN,    NEAR    BRIGHTWOOD,    D.    C. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  63 

Major  Perham  urged  that  the  bill  for  acquiring-  the  ground  for  the 
park  be  introduced  this  session  and  if  found  imperfect  it  could  be 
changed  to  meet  the  wishes  of  the  participants  in  the  battle  and  pre- 
sented to  Congress  at  the  next  session  for  enactment  into  law. 

Maj.  H.  L.  Biscoe,  who  was  an  officer  in  the  Confederate  arm}^,  was 
present  and  advocated  the  securing  of  the  forts  and  having  the  impor- 
tant points  suitably  marked,  as  was  being  done  elsewhere,  as  a  tribute 
to  the  valor  of  the  American  soldier. 

Maj.  L.  P.  Williams  said  that  if  the  land  proposed  to  be  acquired 
was  acquired  now,  the  future  citizens  of  the  capital  and  nation  would 
praise  the  Avork  of  those  engaged  in  this  patriotic  undertaking  to  save 
so  historic  a  spot. 

Mr.  W.  V.  Cox  presented  a  plan  of  Fort  Stevens,  "the  fort  that 
saved  our  country's  capital,"  stating  that  he  had  placed  a  tablet  on  the 
fort  that  morning  which  not  only  showed  the  plan,  but  also  gave  a 
brief  description  of  the  Imttle. 

General  Vincent  spoke  of  the  interest  that  was  being  manifested  in 
the  project  b}^  old  soldiers  all  over  the  countr}',  and  presented  several 
letters  from  comrades  bearing  on  the  suliject.  He  also  presented  a 
letter  from  Hugh  Hastings,  State  historian  of  New  York,  in  reference 
to  a  bill  which  had  been  introduced  in  the  legislature  of  New  York  to 
erect  a  monument  at  Fort  Stevens  in  memory  of  the  soldiers  of  that 
State  who  had  fallen  in  sight  of  the  Dome  of  the  Capitol. 

After  an  interesting  discussion,  tilled  with  reminiscences  of  the 
Washington  campaign,  it  was  decided  that  the  chairman  should  appoint 
a  committee,  of  which  he  would  be  ex  officio  a  member,  to  wait  on 
members  of  the  Senate  and  request  that  a  bill  for  acquiring  the  Fort 
Stevens  battlefield  for  a  national  park  be  introduced  at  this  session  of 
Congress.  The  chairman  appointed  Gen.  Frank  Wheaton,  Col.  John 
McElroy,  and  Capt.  H.  B.  Looker  members  of  the  committee,  and 
they  will  call  at  the  Capitol  to-day. 

The  following-named  gentlemen  compose  the  executive  committee 
of  the  Fort  Stevens  Lincoln  National  Park  Association: 

Gen.  Thomas  ~Sl.  Vincent,  U.  S.  A.,  chairman. 

Maj.  A.  S.  Perham,  secretary. 

Gen.  Frank  Wheaton,  U.  S.  A. 

Gen.  George  W.  Getty. 

Gen.  William  H.  Penrose. 

Gen.  Jos.  C.  Breckenridge,  U.  S.  A. 

Gen.  George  H.  Harries. 

Gen.  F.  C.  Ainsworth. 

Mr.  William  V.  Cox. 

Dr.  Charles  V.  Petteys. 

Maj.  Henry  E.  Alvord. 

Maj.  Leander  P.  Williams. 

Col.  William  L.  Bramhall. 

Col.  Calvin  H.  Farnsworth. 


64  PAKE    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Maj.  Thomas  S.  Hopkins.. 

Col.  John  E.  McElroy. 

Col.  I.  W.  Stone. 

Gen.  George  H.  Slaybaugh.  " 

Gen.  R.  G.  Dyrenforth. 

Capt.  Henry  B.  Looker.  .  . 

Hon.  James  Tanner. 

Maj.  Edward  E.  Campbell. 

Mr.  Barry  Bulkley. 

Gen.  Marcus  J.  Wright. 

Maj.  Henry  L.  Biscoe. 

Capt.  Findlay  Harris. 

The  following  compose  the  legislative  comniittee: 

Gen.  L.  A.  Grant,  310  Bank  of  Commerce,  Minneapolis,  Minn. 

Gen.  W.  B.  French,  Saratoga  Springs,  N.  Y. 

Gen.  H.  V.  Boynton,  1357  Princeton  street. 

Gen.  Hazard  Stevens,  8  Bowdoin  avenue,  Boston,  Mass. 

Judge  H.  M.  Nevius,  Eed  Bank,  N.  J. 

Governor  George  K.  Nash,  Columbus,  Ohio. 

Gen.  Lew  Wallace,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

Mr.  Frank  Eaymond,  custom-house.  New  York  City. 

Mr.  J.  H.  Wolf,  Post-Office  Department. 

Maj.  E.  E.  Campbell,  Pension  Office. 

Dr.  Frank  T.  Howe,  Star  Office. 

Col.  Arthur  Hendricks,  Auditor's  Office,  Treasury  Department. 

Col.  John  H.  Kline,  628  Ehode  Island  avenue. 

Gen.  A.  M.  Legge,  609  G  street. 

Gen.  John  Middleton,  506  I  street,  NW. 

Col.  H.  D.  Norton,  1804  Vermont  avenue. 

Dr.  C.  C.  V.  Crawford,  Chester  Heights,  Delaware  County,  Pa. 

Maj.  Hiram  Buckingham,  1522  Sixth  street. 

Gen.  E.  F.  Bogie,  806  I  street  NE. 

Eev.  J.  H.  Bradford,  Indian  Office. 

Dr.  Thomas  Calver,  107  B  street  NE. 

Col.  S.  E.  Chamberlain,  1309  Twentieth  street  NW. 

Col.  Aldace  F.  Walker,  New  York. 

Capt.  James  E.  Eldredge,  Eandolph,  Vt. 

Maj.  Henry  J.  Nichols,  Soldiers  and  Sailors'  Home,  Missouri  avenue. 

Chaplain  John  H.  Macomber,  retired. 

Mr.  Eansoni  E.  Hathorn,  Ludlow,  Vt. 

Maj.  Charles  G.  Gould,  Patent  Office. 

Capt.  Dan  Barrett,  Pension  Office. 

Mr.  John  O'Connell,  Pension  Office. 

Mr.  E.  M.  Byrne,  Government  greenhouse. 

Gen.  H.  W.  Gilmore,  Adjutant-General,  Vt. 

Col.  W.  J.  Sperry,  Cavendish,  Vt. 

Col.  Amison  S.  Tracey,  Middlebury,  Vt. 

Gen.  F.  G.  Butterfield,  Derbyline,  Vt. 

Dr.  Eobert  Eeyburn,  714  Thirteenth  street  NW. 

Gen.  Edward  W.  Whitaker,  819  Massachusetts  avenue  NE. 

Mr.  L.  C.  White,  902  D  street  SE. 

Hon.  Hugh  Hastings,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Maj.  Leander  P.  WiUiams,  931  Westminster  street  NW. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  65 

Gen.  Alexander  McD.  McCook,  care  of  Adjutant-General  U.  S.  A. 

Mr.  Edward  T.  Bates,  517  Second  street  NW. 

Gen.  J.  B.  Gordon. 

Gen.  W.  R.  Cox,  Tarboro,  N.  C. 

Maj.  S.  A.  Cunningham,  Nashville,  Tenn. 

Gen.  D.  E.  Sickles,  New  York  City. 

Dr.  Horace  Coleman,  Pension  Office. 

Col.  J.  Edwin  Browne.  ^ 

Paul  Beckwith,  1343  R  street  NW. 

Maj.  W.H.Tracy. 

Zebina  Moses,  711  H  street  NW. 

p  1—03 5 


SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS,  NO.  5. 


mFORMAL  HEARING  BEFORE  THE  SUBCOMMITTEE  OF 
THE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA, 
ji        UNITED  STATES  SENATE. 


April  1,  1901. — Printed  for  the  use  of  the  committee. 


Washington,  D.  C,  Tuesday,  March  19,  1901. 

Present:  Senators  McMillan  (chairman)  and  Galling-er;  also  the  fol- 
lowing- gentlemen:  Robert  S.  Peabod}',  of  Boston,  president,  and 
Glenn  Brown,  of  Washington,  secretaiy,  of  the  American  Institute  of 
Architects,  and  the  following  members  of  the  committee  representing 
the  institute:  Messrs.  William  A.  Boring,  chairman  of  the  committee 
on  legislation;  George  B.  Post,  of  New  York;  G.  F.  Shepley,  of  Bos- 
ton; E.  B.  Green,  of  Buffalo,  and  Frank  Miles  Tfny,  of  Philadelphia. 
Also  the  following  gentlemen:  Frederick  Law  Olmsted,  landscape 
architect,  of  Brookline,  Mass.,  and  J.  C.  Hornblower  and  James  G. 
Hill,  of  Washington,  D.  C. 

The  Chairman.  Gentlemen,  it  is  the  desire  of  the  subcommittee  that 
we  have  an  informal  talk  this  morning  upon  the  subject  of  the  improve- 
ment of  the  park  sj^stem  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  I  think  it 
would  be  well  for  me  to  explain  to  you  briefly  the  purpose  we  have  in 
view.  It  has  been  thought  advisable  b}^  gentlemen  on  this  committee 
that  we  should  formulate,  or  have  formulated  for  us,  a  plan  to  develop 
the  parks  now  in  existence,  and  possibly  to  invite  suggestions  as  to 
other  parks  in  this  District. 

As  probably  most  of  you  know,  we  have  here  in  the  District  of 
Columbia  the  making  of  the  finest  parks  in  the  world,  owing  to  the 
peculiarity  of  the  surroundings — the  hills  and  valle3\s  that  we  have  all 
over  the  7  square  miles  of  territory  that  belong  to  the  District.  Some 
twelve  3^ears  ago  Congress  purchased  2,000  acres  of  land  for  what  is 
called  Rock  Creek  Park,  which  territoiy  has  since  remained  in  a  rough 
condition,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  miles  of  roads  that  have  been 
built.  We  have  120  acres  in  what  is  called  Zoological  Park,  connect- 
ing with  Rock  Creek  Park  on  the  south,  one  of  the  most  beautiful 

67 


68  PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

spots,  I  suppose,  that  is  to  be  found  anywhere.  That  is  under  the 
supervision  of  Professor  Langley,  Secretary  of  the  Smithsonian  Insti- 
tution, Rock  Creek  Park  is  under  the  supervision  of  a  board  of  con- 
trol consisting  of  the  Chief  of  Engineers  of  the  Army  and  two  members 
of  the  Board  of  Commissioners. 

Then  some  years  ago  it  was  found  that  the  Potomac  River  iiats  were 
full  of  malaria,  so  the  Government  went  to  work  and  cleaned  out  all 
the  low  flats  south  of  the  White  House  and  converted  them  into  what 
may  be  a  park,  and  a  very  beautiful  park,  of  about  800  acres. 

Those  are  parks  in  what  is  called  the  northwestern  side  of  the  city. 
It  has  been  thought  by  this  committee  that  something  should  be  done 
to  connect  those  parks. 

Then  we  have  in  the  central  part  of  the  city  what  is  called  the  Sol- 
diers' Home,  which  is  practically  a  park  of  800  acres.  That  is  well 
laid  out  with  roads  and  drives;  but  that,  of  course,  is  not  a  public 
park,  and  it  has  been  thought  by  some  that  we  ought  to  connect  Rock 
Creek  Park  with  the  Soldiers'  Home  grounds. 

In  the  northeastern  part  of  the  city  there  are  only  small  reserva- 
tions; we  have  no  parks.  But  we  have  the  same  difficulties  on  the 
eastern  side  of  the  city  that  we  had  on  the  south  side— that  is,  we 
have  in  the  Anacostia  a  river  that  is  practically  stagnant,  and  we  have 
flats  there  which  might  be  converted  some  day  into  parks,  just  as  we 
have  parks  south  of  the  White  House. 

Now,  these  parks  being  in  this  condition,  and  being  controlled  by 
two  or  three  difl'erent  commissions,  it  has  been  thought  by  this  com- 
mittee that  we  ought  to  have  some  proper  scheme  or  plan  to  work  on, 
and  that  we  should  emplo}^  experts  to  advise  us  as  to  what  that  scheme 
should  be,  just  as  was  done  with  regard  to  the  sewers  in  the  District. 
Wo  employed  experts  who  prepared  a  plan  of  sewage  disposal.  The 
District  has  been  working  on  that  plan  for  nianj^  3^ears,  and  when  these 
labors  are  completed  we  will  have  a  veiy  flne  sewer  system.  So  it 
would  be  if  we  had  a  plan  for  the  construction  of  parks;  it  would 
result  in  something  very  grand — boulevards,  and  all  that  sort  of  thing. 

Now,  this  committee  is  empowered  to  employ  experts  to  see  what  can 
be  done  in  that  direction.  In  that  connection  it  has  been  suggested 
that  our  labors  may  result  in  developing  a  plan  for  placing  the  public 
buildings  of  the  future,  but  we  Avill  encounter  this  difficulty:  While 
the  Senate  and  House  Committees  on  the  District  of  Columbia  have 
control  of  the  matters  in  the  city  and  the  District  in  a  certain  wa}^  yet 
there  are  committees  of  the  Senate  and  House  on  Public  Buildings  and 
Grounds  which  assume  to  place  the  public  buildings.  The  Joint  Com- 
mittee on  the  Librar}^,  a  committee  of  both  Houses,  has  general  charge 
of  matters  relating  to  statuary,  so  that  before  we  could  complete  tins 
plan,  if  w^e  should  touch  at  all  upon  the  public  buildings,  we  would 
have  to  join  with  us  subcommittees  of  those  committees  of  both  tiie 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  69 

Senate  and  the  House,  and  in  that  way  we  might  get  up  a  plan  that 
would  cover  all  we  want  or  desire  in  this  matter. 

So  that  this  subcommittee  feel  a  little  difficulty  about  going  on  with 
the  public  building  feature  of  the  matter,  while  recognizing  the  fact 
that  the  architects  and  landscape  gardeners  should  work  together  in 
all  these  matters. 

Senator  Gallinger  and  I  think  we  should  be  frank  about  this  matter 
and  tell  you  how  we  are  situated  and  inform  you  of  some  of  the  diffi- 
culties with  which  you  maj^  be  confronted,  and  that  possibly  you  may 
give  us  some  suggestions  as  to  what  should  be  done  to  start  this 
programme;  and  if  so,  we  would  be  glad  to  have  you  do  so. 

I  think  I  have  stated  the  matter  fully  and  fairh'. 

Senator  Gallinger.  I  think  you  have  stated  the  matter  accurately. 

The  Chairman.  Undoubtedly  this  subcommittee  could  go  on  with 
this  matter,  but  the  House  is  unorganized.  There  is  no  House  and 
will  not  be  until  next  December,  but  the  Senate  is  a  body  that  always 
exists;  it  never  dies,  and  we  can  go  on  with  this  investigation,  so  far 
as  the  parks  are  concerned,  with  perfect  propriety;  but  that  is  about 
as  far  as  we  can  go. 

Senator  Gallinger.  Except  by  suggestions. 

The  Chairman.  Except  by  suggestions.  Now,  Mr.  Olmsted  is  here 
from  Boston,  and  he  is  familiar  with  landscape  gardening  or  the  lajnng 
out  of  parks.  I  think  you  are  the  only  landscape  architect  present, 
Mr.  Olmsted. 

Mr.  OljvIsted.  I  think  I  am. 

The  Chairman.  You  just  came  down  to  look  the  situation  over  to 
find  out  what  was  wanted?  Now,  you  gentlemen  represent  the  archi- 
tects 'i 

Mr.  Boring.  Yes,  sir;  and  our  first  suggestion  would  be  a  commis- 
sion that  should  include  architects  and  landscape  architects.  Our  scope 
includes  all  of  this,  but  principally  the  parks. 

Mr.  Chairman,  I  think  you  probably  have  exactly  the  idea  as  to  the 
position  of  the  architects  with  relation  to  the  public  buildings.  The 
architects,  however,  are  as  much  interested  in  the  park  s^^stem  as  they 
are  in  the  public  buildings — the  placing  of  the  public  buildings.  It  all 
goes  together.  It  is  a  unit,  and  it  is  a  problem  of  veiy  wide  scope. 
It  is  a  matter  that  no  one  man  can  veiy  well  handle,  and  we  had  in 
Senate  resolution  No.  139  a  plan  that  we  favored.  This  plan  was 
that  two  architects  and  one  landscape  architect  should  form  a  sort  of 
commission  to  lay  out  a  scheme  for  making  this  plan — not  necessarily 
that  they  should  design  the  plan,  but  that  the}^  should  develop  some 
means  for  procuring  the  design.  It  is  a  matter  that  is  so  broad  that 
this  committee  of  the  American  Institute  of  Architects  is  not  ready  to 
make  a  recommendation  in  detail  as  to  how  the  plan  should  be  procured. 
It  should,  we  think,  be  made  by  a  commission  or  a  number  of  gentle- 


70  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

men  who  should  have  the  widest  liberty,  and  they  should  be  given  a 
certain  amount  of  time  to  study  the  matter  over,  and  then  report  a 
scheme  for  devising  this  plan.  We  are  unanimous,  I  think,  upon  the 
recommendation  of  certain  gentlemen  who  would  be  suitable  for  the 
work.  We  assume  that  your  committee  would  like  to  have  us  recom- 
mend gentlemen  whom  we  think  would  be  proper  in  this  connection. 

The  Chairman.  Whom  would  you  recommend  ? 

Mr.  Boring.  For  the  landscape  work  we  would  recommend  Mr. 
Frederick  L.  Olmsted,  and  for  one  of  the  architects  we  would  recom- 
mend Mr.  Buruham,  of  Chicago,  the  man  who  carried  out  the  World's 
Fair  work.  Then  let  those  two  gentlemen  select  a  third  who  would 
work  in  harmony  with  those  two.  These  gentlemen  should  then  get 
together  and  study  the  problem  and  suggest  some  scheme  or  devise 
some  scheme  or  do  whatever  in  their  judgment  would  be  best  to  arrive 
at  the  desired  result. 

The  Chairman.  I  think  that  is  a  very  practical  suggestion,  and  I 
may  say  that  you  could  not  suit  me,  personally,  better  than  to  do  just 
that  thing.  In  that  wa}^  you  gentlemen  would  take  the  burden  off  of 
our  shoulders  temporarily.  Those  gentlemen  could  study  the  question 
between  now  and  next  December  and  could  submit  privately  to  this 
committee  a  plan  which  would  practically  cover  the  matter  of  the  park- 
ing of  the  cit}",  and  incidentallj^  suggest  where  the  public  buildings 
should  be  placed. 

Mr.  Boring.  That  is  the  idea  exactly. 

The  Chairman.  And  the  men  you  speak  of  would  be  the  men  that  I 
myself  would  have  selected,  if  I  were  asked  to  select  them.  Mr. 
Burnham  and  Mr.  Olmsted  are  just  the  men  I  should  have  selected, 
from  my  experience  and  knowledge  of  the  matter. 

Senator  Gallinger.  The  committee  that  you  suggest,  or  the  com- 
mission, whatever  it  might  be  called,  I  take  it,  would  have  suggestions 
made  to  them  by  the  rest  of  j^ou  gentlemen.  The}"  would  be  open  to 
suggestions,  would  they  not,  or  would  you  leave  it  entirely  in  their 
hands  ? 

Mr.  Boring.  I  would  leave  it  entirely  to  them.  That  is  the  idea.  It 
is  a  matter  that  we  are  not  read}"  to  advise  upon. 

Senator  Gallinger.  Would  3^ou  have  it  submitted  to  you  instead  of 
the  architects? 

Mr.  Boring.  No,  sir;  it  should  be  submitted  to  you  when  we  get 
the  right  men  appointed. 

The  Chairman.  You  are  satisfied  that  they  would  do  the  work? 

Mr.  Boring.  Yes,  sir;  and  let  them  submit  it  to  you. 

Senator  Gallinger.  You  have  unbounded  confidence  in  them  ? 

Mr.  Boring.  Yes,  sir.     Is  that  not  correct,  Mr.  Chairman? 

Mr.  Peabody.  Without  making  the  same  amount  of  study  we  could 
not  pass  upon  those  schemes  or  plans. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  71 

Mr.  Post.  1  think  it  is  very  desirable  to  have  a  board  to  do  it, 
because  one  man  may  make  a  design  and  perhaps  he  may  go  off  on  a 
tack  that  ma}'  not  commend  itself  to  men  of  different  lines  of  thought, 
where  three  men  or  live  men  would  correct  him. 

The  Chairman.  What  would  be  the  expense  of  a  commission  of  that 
kind?  It  has  been  suggested  to  me  by  several  people  that  this  insti- 
tute was  so  much  in  love  with  Washington  and  with  what  ought  to  be 
done  here  that  they  would  be  glad  to  give  us  the  use  of  their  brains  for 
nothing. 

Mr.  Boring.  Yes,  sir;  so  far  as  the  institute  is  concerned  I  am  sure 
that  is  entirely  true. 

The  Chairman.  Yes;  so  far  as  the  institute  is  concerned  3'ou  may 
safely  say  that,  because  the^^  are  not  going  to  do  anything.     [Laughter.] 

Mr.  Boring.  But  I  consider  that  the  institute,  in  bringing  the  matter 
up  to  this  point,  has  done  a  great  deal,  and  they  have  been  to  an  expense 
in  doing  it,  if  that  is  the  question. 

The  Chairman.  What  we  want  to  know  is  what  Mr.  Burnham  and 
the  gentleman  who  is  selected  b}^  Mr.  Burnham  and  ]Mr.  Olmsted  will 
charge — how  much  they  would  charge  for  this  preliminary  work. 

Mr.  Boring.  That  3"ou  would  have  to  ascertain  by  a  conference 
with  those  gentlemen.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  Mr.  Burnham  has  never 
been  consulted  about  this  matter  and  knows  nothing  about  it.  We 
are  confident  that  he  is  a  good  man,  and  certainl}'  these  gentlemen 
are  not  going  to  ask  anything  for  their  services  that  is  outside  of 
reason. 

The  Chairman.  I  understand;  but  we  want  to  know 

Senator  Gallinger.  Approximately. 

The  Chairman.  Yes.  Your  idea,  then,  is  that  we  should  send  for 
those  gentlemen  and  make  the  arrangement  with  them  ? 

Mr.  Post.  That  is  the  only  way  in  which  it  could  be  done. 

The  Chairman.  The  idea  is  that  we  shoukl  see  those  gentlemen  and 
ascertain  what  their  ideas  would  be  as  to  the  cost  and  how  long  it 
would  take  to  do  it? 

Senator  Gallinger.  I  think  that  would  be  the  proper  way. 

The  Chairman.  I  can  not  see.  Senator  Gallinger,  anything  in  the 
way  of  that,  because  that  is  merel}^  doing  the  preliminary  work,  which 
would  have  to  be  submitted  to  these  committees  when  they  met 
together — the  Committee  on  Public  Buildings  and  Grounds  and  the 
Committee  on  the  Ijibrary.  They  would  have  to  work  in  harmon}", 
and  if  the  plan  should  not  suit  those  people  it  could  be  altered  or 
amended.  But  the  chances  are  that  with  such  able  men  as  those  named 
there  would  be  ver}^  little  question  about  it,  unless  it  was  going  to 
cost  too  much  money;  and  probably  some  question  as  to  the  public 
buildings — where  they  are  to  be  located — might  arise;  but  as  to  the 
parks,  I  do  not  suppose  there  would  be  any  question. 


'72  PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Mr.  Green.  I  suppose  the  question  of  cost  would  depend  upon  "how 
far  these  g-entlemen  would  go.  They  might  simpl}"  arrange  how  a  plan 
might  be  arrived  at,  or  they  might  arrive  at  the  plan  itself.  Those 
are  two  different  pieces  of  work. 

The  Chairman.  They  would  have  to  go  over  the  situation  here  and 
get  the  la}"  of  the  land  and  then  recommend  a  plan. 

Mr.  Green.  But,  as  Mr.  Boring  has  said,  they  might  either  do  that 
or  they  might  come  to  you  and  say,  We  recommend  making  the  plan  in 
this  manner. 

The  Chairman.  1  will  tell  j^ou  what  was  done  in  Detroit  recently. 
Eighteen  men  met  at  m}"  house  one  night  to  discuss  a  matter  of  this 
kind,  and  every  man  felt  that  his  plan  was  right;  we  were  going  to  do 
wonders.  We  had  two  or  three  newspaper  men  and  other  citizens, 
and  they  discussed  the  matter.  We  found  that  every  man  had  his  own 
idea  of  what  should  be  done;  it  was  simply  impossible  for  us  to  agree. 
It  was  finally  suggested  that  we  employ  an  artist  or  architect  and  one 
or  two  other  men — three  or  four,  I  think,  were  emploj^ed.  Mr.  San- 
ford  White  was  the  chairman.  They  went  to  Detroit  and  looked  over 
the  cit3%  and  determined  what  they  would  recommend.  They  recom- 
mended something  that  would  cost  a  million  dollars,  and  it  was  entirely 
satisfactory  to  the  people  of  the  city,  apparently.  The  people  had 
public  meetings  and  displayed  this  grand  plan  for  the  treatment  of 
Belle  Isle,  with  columns  and  colonnades,  and  all  that  sort  of  thing.  It 
was  a  realW  beautiful  plan,  but  they  made  the  mistake  of  thinking 
that  the  public  would  furnish  the  mone}".  They  raised  about  $450,000 
and  then  the}^  fovind  that  they  could  go  no  further.  After  that  time 
they  felt  a  little  indifference  about  it;  their  enthusiasm  oozed  out; 
whereas  if  the  cit}"  had  said,  "We  will  give  half  a  million  dollars,"  and 
the  citizens  had  said,  "We  will  give  half  a  million  dollars,"  the}^  would 
have  carried  out  the  plan  that  the  gentlemen  suggested.  The  experts 
looked  the  matter  over  and  studied  it  and  suggested  to  us  what  ought 
to  be  done,  just  as  these  gentlemen  would  do,  I  suppose.  In  fact  that 
is  the  only  wa}"  to  do,  because  if  we  should  take  plans  from  everybody 
we  never  should  agree.  Everybody  would  have  some  suggestions  dif- 
ferent from  the  others.  But  if  you  get  the  best  talent  you  can,  I  think 
the}"  will  bring  about  better  results. 

Mr.  Boring.  It  might  be  that  this  committee  would  subdivide  the 
work  and  take  competitive  plans;  for  instance,  select  certain  men  for 
certain  parts  of  the  work,  it  being  of  such  a  diversified  nature,  some 
of  it  being  entirely  natural  and  some  of  it  being  formal.  But  they 
would  crystallize  it  so  that  you  would  be  relieved  of  that  detail. 

Senator  Gallinger.  If  your  plan  should  be  adopted,  would  it  not 
leave  the  Cj[uestion  of  expense  an  open  one  and  impossible  of  determi- 
nation at  the  start?  For  instance,  if  the  committee  should  be  selected 
from  architects  and  landscape  gardeners,  and  should  take  plans  from 
others,  they  would  have  to  pay  for  those  plans,  would  they  not? 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  73 

Mr.  Boeing.  Well,  this  committee  would  advise  jou  in  advance  of 
the  cost  of  an}'  of  their  moves — before  the  moves  were  made — so  that 
they  would  secure  3'our  approbation  before  the  thing-  was  done. 

Senator  Gallinger.  In  sug-gesting-  the  matter  of  expense  I  presume 
the  chairman  spoke  of  it  simplv  from  the  fact  that  scientific  and  tech- 
nical gentlemen  usualh'  suppose  that  the  Government  is  rich  enough 
to  do  anything,  j^et  we  are  constantl}'  met  with  ver}^  determined  oppo- 
sition in  Congress  in  the  matter  of  projects  that  cost  a  good  deal  of 
money.  There  is  a  great  deal  of  economy-  attempted  to  be  practiced 
here,  whether  it  is  actually  practiced  or  not.  There  are  a  great  many 
men  in  public  life  who  pride  themselves  upon  being  economists,  and 
to  start  out  with  a  scheme  of  extravagance  in  this  committee,  if  it 
should  do  so,  would  very  likely  defeat  the  purposes  we  have  in  view, 
so  that  it  is  ver}''  necessary'  that  we  should  go  on  carefully  and  with 
some  knowledge  of  the  probable  cost  in  advance.  We  do  not  expect 
that  we  can  get  the  definite  cost,  but  we  can  get  at  the  approximate 
cost  of  the  work,  and  I  think  the  success  of  this  proposition  can  be 
assured  only  upon  a  procedure  of  that  kind. 

Mr.  Boring.  Those  things,  of  course,  could  only  be  determined  by 
a  conference  between  yourselves  and  this  committee  in  advance  of  any 
move  on  their  part. 

Mr.  Post.  Mr.  Chairman,  this  matter  is  so  xevy  broad  and  extends 
over  such  a  great  amount  of  countr}"  and  such  verj"  different  require- 
ments as  to  development  that  it  is  impossible  for  us  to  express  any 
opinion  as  to  the  cost.  I  think  that  a  small  committee,  considering  the 
matter  in  detail,  could  arrive  at  the  question  of  cost  verj^  readily. 

Mr.  Moore.  I  suppose  your  committee  would  say,  for  instance: 
Here  is  Rock  Creek  Park;  that  should  be  treated  in  such  a  way,  on 
general  lines,  leaving  the  detail  of  the  treatment  to  be  taken  up  and 
considered  afterwards  ? 

Mr.  Boring.  Yes,  sir;  later  on. 

Mr.  Moore.  Even  in  after  years,  if  necessary? 

Mr.  Boring.  It  depends  upon  how  minutely  it  is  necessary"  to  go  into 
details  in  these  matters.  It  might  be  just  on  general  lines  that  might 
be  suggested  b}^  Congress,  leaving  other  things  to  be  developed. 

The  Chairman.  Of  course,  if  we  should  adopt  a  plan  which  would 
take  in  the  placing  of  all  public  buildings  and  plans  to  develop  these 
parks,  it  might  take  years  to  do  it;  but  every  building  that  would  be 
erected  in  the  city  of  Washington  would  be  recommended  according 
to  this  plan.  As  it  is  now,  they  go  around  hawking  the  matter  about 
and  do  not  know  where  to  put  the  building.  Take  the  Department  of 
Justice  building,  for  instance. 

Mr.  Boring.  That  is  Mr.  Post's  building. 

The  Chairman.  I  apprehend  that  Mr.  Post  would  not  like  to  have 
that  piece  of  ground  that  was  selected,  but  some  more  space  on  which 


Y4  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

to  show  the  building  off.     And  it  ought  to  be  in  harmony  with  other 
buildings  so  far  as  the  placing  of  it  is  concerned. 

Mr.  Post.  I  have  been  constantly  advocating  the  purchase  of  the 
entire  front  of  the  square  for  the  Department  of  Justice  building.  I 
believe  it  would  be  an  economy  for  the  Government,  at  whatever  cost, 
to  bu}^  half  of  that  lot  and  put  the  Department  of  Justice  building  on 
the  axis  of  the  Treasury  Department.  It  may  be  proper  for  me  to 
make  the  suggestion — although  this  committee  ma}^  be  powerless  to 
act  in  the  matter — that  the  Institute  of  Architects  has  been  most  vitally 
interested  in  the  development  of  Washington,  on  both  artistic  and 
practical  lines,  in  the  best  possible  way,  so  that  it  would  be  a  city  that 
for  all  time  would  be  an  evidence  of  the  development  of  the  arts — the 
art  of  architecture  especially,  and  its  various  accessories,  such  as  engi- 
neering and  landscape  architecture.  They  have  been  vitally  interested 
in  the  best  possible  development  of  the  capital  of  the  country,  and 
that  development  never  can  be  reached  while  the  development  of  the 
city  is  in  the  hands  of  three  or  four  different  authorities,  and  it  seems 
to  me,  as  an  initial  step,  Congress  ought  to  be  led  to  place  the  entire 
matter  of  the  locations  of  buildings  and  the  landscape  development — 
if  you  choose  to  call  it  so,  the  plan  of  the  cit}^ — in  the  hands  of  one 
committee,  and  until  that  is  done  I  do  not  believe  that  you  will  ever 
get  a  satisfactory  result,  or  a  result  of  which  our  grandchildren  will 
be  proud. 

You  have  incidentally  referred  to  the  Department  of  Justice  build- 
ing. I  think  it  is  a  sin  on  the  part  of  the  members  of  Congress  that 
they  should  permit  as  important  a  structure  as  that  to  be  put  up  in 
front  of  the  Treasur}'^  building  without  being  on  its  axis. 

The  Chairman.  I  quite  agree  with  you.     We  all  feel  that  wny. 

Senator  Gallinger.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  we  have  a  crazy-quilt  con 
dition  of  things  now  in  this  city,  so  far  as  the  public  buildings  are 
concerned.     The}^  are  scattered  here  and  there  without  any  system  so 
far  as  scientific  arrangement  is  concerned. 

Mr.  Post.  So  far  as  the  scientific  arrangement  is  concerned  I  have 
given  consideration  to  the  question,  necessarily,  of  the  buildings;  and 
it  seems  to  me  that  the  buildings  for  the  departments  that  have  direct 
daily  and  hourly  business  with  each  other  and  with  the  President  must 
be  concentered  around  the  White  House,  and  the  buildings  where  the 
offices  and  functions  are  necessarily  connected  with  the  general  legis- 
lative branch  of  the  Government  must  be  concentered  more  or  less 
about,  or  be  in  direct  connection  with,  Capitol  Hill. 

Senator  Gallinger.  Upon  that  hj^pothesis  3"ou  would  think  it  desira- 
ble to  keep  the  Department  of  Justice  building  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
White  House? 

Mr.  Post.  As  far  as  m}^  investigations  for  the  last  two  or  three 
years  enlighten  me,  I  think  it  is  absolutely  indispensable  that  it  should 
be  there.     The  Attorney-General  is  constantly  called  upon  by  the  Sec- 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  75 

retaiy  of  State,  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  and 
by  the  President,  and  their  conferences  are  constant. 

Senator  Gallinger.  Have  you  discovered  any  other  available  site 
in  that  region  for  that  building?  Suppose  the  present  site  should  be 
abandoned. 

Mr.  Post.  I  suggested  to  the  Attornej^-General  some  few  months 
since  that  he  should  get  Congress  to  purchase  the  smaller  lot  opposite 
the  War  Department,  occupied  b}"  the  Corcoran  Art  Galler}^  building — 
the  half  lot — and  have  the  building  placed  there.  It  could  then  have 
been  acquired  very  reasonably.  1  believe  the  Court  of  Claims  has 
now  taken  it. 

Senator  Gallinger.  How  about  buying  that  whole  square  and  util- 
izing it  for  a  building? 

Mr.  Post.  There  is  no  reason  wh}"  that  should  not  be  done. 

STATEMENT  OF  MR.  FREDERICK  L.  OLMSTED. 

Senator  Gallinger.  Mr.  Olmsted,  how  does  the  suggestion  made 
by  Mr.  Boring  strike  3'ou — jou  are  to  be  one  part  of  this  scheme ? 

Mr.  Olmsted.  It  seems  to  me,  Mr.  Chairman,  that  the  method  of 
appointing  more  than  one  man — several  men,  whether  three  or  five,  at 
any  rate  some  small  number — to  make  a  preliminary  but  careful  exam- 
ination is  decidedl}"  the  right  one  to  adopt,  whatever  the  plan  might 
be.  To  get  at  it  in  an}'^  other  way — to  get  advice  from  the  members 
of  the  institute,  or  from  others  who  are  interested  in  the  subject  in  a 
general  way,°or  who  through  living  in  Washington  are  familiar  with 
the  problem — can  not  bring  3'ou  down  to  a  sufficiently  definite  knowl- 
edge of  the  subject,  even  for  a  start,  or  for  a  preliminarj^  report, 
because  the  problem  is  so  exceedingl}^  complex.  I  think  also  that  any 
such  committee  or  commission  or  board  of  experts  should  proceed  first 
to  an  investigation  leading  to  a  preliminarj^  report,  with  plans  not 
very  definite  in  character — necessarily  not  veiy  definite  in  character, 
but  embodying  the  results  of  a  few  months  of  investigation  of  the 
subject — and  from  those  plans,  after  a  conference  with  your  committee 
and  with  other  committees  that  are  concerned  with  the  whole  problem, 
a  basis  might  l)e  laid  for  the  detailed  plans  that  would  be  necessary 
for  the  carrying  out  of  an}-  scheme. 

Beyond  that  point  the  further  development  of  any  plan  is  open  to 
other  methods.  Such  a  committee  might  find  difficulties  in  its  organ- 
ization and  its  method  of  procedure  during  that  preliminar}^  investi- 
gation, l)ut  it  would  certainly,  after  such  an  investigation,  be  in  a 
position  better  than  anybody  else  to  advise  you  how  to  reach  final  and 
definite  conclusions  as  to  the  plan. 

Senator  Gallinger.  So  that  the  most  you  could  hope  for  then 
would  be  to  make  a  preliminar}^  report  at  the  opening  of  the  next  ses- 
sion of  Congress.     Am  I  correct  in  that  assumption  ? 


76  PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Mr.  Olmsted.  Yes,  sir. 

Senator  Gallinger.  But  your  committee  would  not  be  able  to  pre- 
sent matured  plans  ? 

Mr.  Olmsted.  It  seems  to  me  that  it  would  not  be  advisable  to 
attempt  that.  It  is  interesting,  I  think,  in  this  connection,  to  recall 
what  took  place  in  the  development  of  the  metropolitan  park  system 
of  Boston,  with  which  I  am  perfectly  familiar.  That  problem,  although 
large  in  territory — larger  than  the  problem  you  have  here  in  extent — 
is  a  simpler  one  in  man}^  respects,  because  it  did  not  involve,  for 
instance,  the  question  of  placing  public  buildings  and  a  number  of  other 
elements  which  make  this  a  very  complex  problem.  In  that  case  a  pre- 
liminarj'  report  was  prepared  by  one  man.  the  late  Charles  Eliot,  who 
was  afterwards  a  member  of  our  firm,  dealing  only  with  the  park 
aspect  of  the  development  of  that  district.  He  made  a  report  after 
several  months — I  think  six  or  eight  months — of  investigation,  which 
report  contained,  besides  its  recommendations,  a  plan  fairl}'^  definite 
in  its  main  outlines,  but  not  going  into  details.  That  plan  has  served  as 
a  basis  for  the  work  that  has  since  been  done  in  carrying  out  the 
project,  and  the  details  of  that  plan  have  been  elaborated  and  modifi- 
cations have  been  made  in  its  details  ever  since;  but  its  general  scheme 
has  been  followed,  and  it  seems  to  me  that  the  wisest  wa}"  to  proceed  in 
this  matter  is  to  call  now  for  some  preliminary  report,  such  as  is  rep- 
resented in  that  report  of  Charles  Eliot  on  the  metropolitan  park 
system.  You  will  then  have  men  who  have  gone  into  the  subject  suffi- 
ciently to  see  where  it  leads  and  see  how  to  proceed  in  elaborating  the 
details. 

The  Chairman.  That  preliminary  report  would  then  be  submitted  to 
the  committees  of  both  Houses,  and  they  could  take  it  under  advise- 
ment, so  that  we  would  be  ready  to  say  whether  we  should  go  on  and 
have  those  plans  completed  or  not? 

Mr.  Olmsted.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  I  think  that  is  a  good  suggestion.  Is  there  any- 
thing else.  Senator  Gallinger,  that  you  desire  to  ask  these  gentlemen  ? 
We  seem  to  have  covered  the  whole  ground. 

Senator  Gallinger.  I  think  that  is  all.  I  take  it  for  granted  that 
this  committee,  if  appointed,  should  properh'  be  clothed  with  author- 
ity to  employ  assistance  and  all  that  sort  of  thing.  I  see  that  they 
were  so  authorized  in  the  metropolitan  park  commission  of  Boston. 

Mr.  Olmsted.  Yes,  sir. 

Senator  Gallinger.  And  you  would  require  the  same  thing  if  you 
were  a  committee  or  board? 

Mr.  Olmsted.  Yes,  sir. 

Senator  Gallinger.  You  think  the  metropolitan  park  system  of 
Boston— which  we  all  know  something  about,  and  which  is  the  pride 
of  New  England  men  especially — presented  not  as  many  difficult  prob- 
lems as  are  presented  here,  do  you? 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTKICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  77 

Mr.  Olmsted.  They  were  less  varied  in  their  nature  and  less  com- 
plicated, I  think. 

Senator  Gallingee.  I  notice  that  you  took  possession  of  the  banks 
of  the  Charles,  and  what  other  river? 

Mr.  Olmsted.  Two  other  rivers. 

Senator  Gallinger.  Did  you  have  the  problem  there  (of  course  you 
did  not  to  the  same  extent,  1  know)  of  dealing  with  those  rivers  as  to 
the  matter  of  sanitation,  which  is  a  very  serious  problem  here? 

Mr.  Olmsted.  No,  sir;  but  on  portions  of  the  Charles  River  the 
problem  of  sanitation  has  entered  into  the  problem  of  park  treatment 
to  a  considerable  extent,  and  in  respect  of  that  particular  aspect  of 
the  question  the  State  board  of  health  was  joined  with  the  Metropoli- 
tan park  commission  in  a  special  investigation. 

Senator  Gallinger.  You  see  the  Eastern  Branch  of  the  Potomac 
Elver  is  a  horribly  putrid  and  malarial  stream.  In  fact,  it  is  stagnant, 
and  there  is  the  same  difficulty,  I  think,  Mr.  Chairman,  as  the  outlet 
of  Rock  Creek. 

The  Chairman.  Yes;  practically  the  same  condition. 

Senator  Gallinger.  It  is  really  a  reproach  to  the  capital  city  of  this 
country  that  these  conditions  should  have  been  allowed  to  remain  as 
long  as  they  have,  endangering  the  health  and  lives  of  the  people,  and 
I  take  it  that  this  scheme  would  contemplate  getting  rid,  if  possible,  of 
that  condition,  as  well  as  the  developing  of  the  park  system  proper. 
That  would  be  proper!}'  a  part  of  the  investigation. 

Mr.  Olmsted.  It  should  be,  undoubtedly.  The  two  aspects  of  the 
problem  ought  to  be  treated  together  in  conference. 

Senator  Gallinger.  We  have  in  this  city  a  most  competent  health 
officer,  who  has  a  great  interest  in  this  matter  and  has  frequently  called 
attention  to  it,  and  who  undoubted!}^  would  be  glad  to  cooperate  with 
the  committee  in  that  matter.  It  seems  to  me  that  that  is  a  very  essen- 
tial thing  to  get  rid  of — an  essential  problem  to  solve  in  connection 
with  this  work. 

Mr,  Boring.  You  referred  to  the  Anacostia  part  of  the  city.  I 
might  nay  that  Mr.  Shepley  is  going  to  build  the  new  insane  asj^lum 
on  the  heights  beyond  there. 

The  Chairman.  All  of  j^ou  gentlemen  will  have  to  come  here  and 
build  up  this  city  in  the  course  of  time.  We  will  have  a  great  many 
buildings.  We  will  have  to  have  a  municipal  building,  costing  two  or 
three  million  dollars,  and  we  will  have  to  have  a  hall  of  records.  Why, 
the  buildings  in  sight  now  will  keep  us  going  several  j^ears. 

Mr.  Boring.  Then  it  is  a  very  opportune  time  to  consider  the  con- 
ditions in  the  city  before  the  appropriation  bills  pass  and  the  plans  for 
the  buildings  get  bej^ond  control. 

The  Chairman.  Well,  gentlemen,  we  think  we  understand  3'our  sug- 
gestions, and  that  we  had  better  see  Mr.  Burnham  and  Mr.  Olmsted 
and  talk  with  them  and  get  their  ideas  as  to  carrying  out  your  sug- 


78  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

gestions.  I  think  that  is  very  simple,  and,  Mr^  Olmsted,  I  think  that 
we  should  have  a  preliminary  plan,  which  should  then  be  submitted 
to  the  different  committees,  so  that  we  would  all  work  in  harmony. 

Senator  Gallinger.  Yes;  and  I  know  that  I  express  the  sentiments 
of  the  committee  when  I  say  to  these  gentlemen  that  we  deeply  appre- 
ciate the  interest  that  they  have  in  this  matter  as  manifested  b}^  their 
presence  here  to-day.  Without  you  gentlemen  we  are  helpless.  We 
feel  a  very  great  interest  in  this  matter  and  of  course  desire  to  pro- 
ceed along  sensible  lines  in  order  that  we  may  accomplish  something. 
We  do  not  want  any  undue  enthusiasm  or  theory. 

Mr.  Post.  If  a  plan  is  adopted  for  the  general  scheme  of  improve- 
ment of  the  District  of  Columbia,  is  it  not  possible  that  that  could  be 
made  thoroughl}^  operative  b}^  consolidating  the  duty  of  carrying  such 
a  scheme  into  effect  in  one  committee  instead  of  putting  it  in  the  hands 
of  five  or  six? 

The  Chairman.  I  do  not  know  whether  we  could  do  that;  but  if  this 
arrangement  as  suggested  should  be  adopted,  we  could  put  the  matter 
into  the  hands  of  a  commission  which  would  take  charge  of  that,  and 
which  would  have  all  of  these  matters  under  their  control,  just  as  the 
commission  has  in  Boston. 

Senator  Gallinger.  Yes.  I  think  there  would  be  no  difficulty,  Mr. 
Post,  in  carrying  out  your  suggestion  in  some  form  or  another. 

Mr.  Post.  It  is  impossible  with  three  or  four  different  heads. 

Senator  Gallinger.  Yes,  utterly. 

Mr.  Peabody.  In  reply  to  the  suggestion  of  Senator  Gallinger,  I 
desire  to  say  on  behalf  of  the  gentlemen  present  that  we  are  greatly 
obliged  to  the  committee  for  affording  us  the  opportunity  to  come 
before  you. 

The  Chairman.  The  committee  appreciates  your  coming  here  very 
much  indeed,  and  the  wisdom  of  the  invitation  is  demonstrated  b}^  the 
fact  that  3"ou  have  "'hit  the  nail  on  the  head,"  as  the  expression  is. 
You  seem  to  have  agreed  upon  a  plan  which  meets  our  approval,  and 
you  have  relieved  us  of  some  difficulty.  I  suggested  in  the  first  place 
that  we  felt  some  little  difficulty  as  to  how  far  we  could  go,  but  the 
plan  that  has  been  proposed  relieves  us  of  that.  We  can  certainly  go 
that  far. 

Mr.  Day.  There  is  one  matter,  Mr.  Chairman,  in  this  connection 
which  I  think  has  not  been  made  clear,  and  that  is  as  to  the  approba- 
tion of  the  committee  of  the  third  member  of  the  proposed  commis- 
sion. It  is  of  very  great  importance  that  the  three  members  of  the 
commission,  or  committee,  whichever  3"ou  ma}'  term  it,  should  work 
in  perfect  harmony,  and  I  believe  that  it  is  the  feeling  of  our  commit- 
tee that  such  harmon}'  can  be  secured  best  by  allowing  Mr.  Olmsted 
and  Mr,  Burnham,  if  they  are  appointed,  to  select,  subject  to  your 
approval,  the  third  member. 

The  Chairman.  Yes;  I  think  that  would  be  proper.  The  meeting 
will  now  be  adjourned. 


SENATE  COMMITTEE   ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF   COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS,  NO.  6. 


NOTES  0^  THE  PARKS  AND  THEIR  COMECTIONS. 


April  1,  1901. — Printed  for  the  use  of  the  committee. 


Senate  CoMisnTTEE  on  the  District  of  Columbia, 

Washmgtmi,  D.  C,  March  £7,  1901. 

Gentlemen:  Complying  with  your  request,  I  have  prepared  notes 
on  the  proposed  development  of  the  park  sj^stem  of  the  District  of 
Columbia,  as  follows: 

The  city  of  Washington  is  bounded  approximately  on  the  east  by 
the  Anacostia  River,  on  the  north  b}"  Florida  avenue,  on  the  west  by 
Rock  Creek,  and  on  the  south  by  the  Potomac  River.  Within  this 
territory  are  302  reservations,  comprising-  407  acres.  The  most 
important  of  these  reservations  is  the  series  beginning  with  the  Capi- 
tol grounds,  extending  through  the  Mall  to  the  W^hite  Lot  or  Wash- 
ington Monument  grounds,  and  thence  northward  to  the  grounds  of 
the  Executive  Mansion,  including  also  Lafayette  Park,  opposite  the 
President's  House. 

The  Capitol  grounds  are  under  the  charge  of  the  officer  known  as 
the  Architect  of  the  Capitol,  and  are  governed  by  laws  relating  exclu- 
sively to  them.  The  grounds  were  laid  out  by  Frederick  Law  Olm- 
sted,^ and  may  be  regarded  not  only  as  finished  in  themselves,  but  also 
as  imposing  certain  restrictions  on  the  development  of  the  Mall, 

botanical  gardens. 

The  reservation  directly  west  of  the  Capitol  grounds  is  occupied  by 
the  Botanical  Gardens,  which  are  under  the  general  control  of  the 
Joint  Committee  on  the  Librar}-.  The  immediate  control  is  in  the 
hands   of   a   superintendent,  who  is   practically   independent.      The 

'The  act  approved  March  21,  1874,  appropriates  S3, 000  for  a  topographical  survey 
of  the  Capitol  grounds  and  the  employment  of  Frederick  Law  Olmstead,  of  New  York, 
in  furnishing  plans  for  laying  out  the  grounds;  the  act  of  June  21,  1874,  appropriates 
$20,000  for  sewers  and  street  lights  for  the  Capitol  grounds;  the  act  of  June  23,  1874, 
appropriates  $200,000  for  the  improvement  of  the  Capitol  grounds  according  to  the 
Olmsted  plans;  the  acts  of  March  3,  1875,  and  April  21,  1876,  appropriate,  respectively, 
$200,000  and  $20,000  for  carrying  out  and  completing  said  plans.  Up  to  and  includ- 
ing 1876,  the  total  amount  expended  on  the  Capitol  grounds  was  $1,634,258.51. 

79 


80 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


grounds  are  inclosed  by  a  wall  surmounted  by  a  high  iron  fence,  and 
they  interrupt  the  driveway  between  the  Mall  and  the  Capitol  grounds. 
The  trees  and  shrubs  within  the  grounds  are  said  to  be  of  great  value; 
the  greenhouses  are  used  for  propagating  purposes,  and  there  is  an 
imposing  fountain,  after  a  design  by  Bartholdi  and  made  of  imitation 
bronze.  The  grounds  are  open  during  the  day  to  pedestrians.  The 
gardens  have  no  organic  connection  with  any  department;  their  con- 
nection with  Congress  is  of  the  slightest,  and  their  usefulness  is 
problematical.  ^ 

THE    MALL. 

That  portion  of  the  park  space  which  extends  from  Third  to  Sixth 
street  was  originally  bounded  on  the  north  by  Pennsylvania  avenue 
and  on  the  south  by  Maryland  avenue;  but  is  now  bounded  on  the 
north  by  Missouri  avenue  and  on  the  south  by  Maine  avenue,  and 
reservations  A  and  B  on  the  north  and  B  and  C  on  the  south  are  now 
held  by  private  parties.  While  really  an  extension  of  the  Mall,  the 
space  is  technically  known  as  the  Henry  and  Seaton  parks. 

If  it  shall  be  thought  best  to  extend  the  Mall  to  Pennsylvania  ave- 
nue, the  purchase  of  the  two  reservations,  A  and  B,  on  the  north  should 
have  earlj^  consideration.  The  estimated  value  of  the  ground  in  res- 
ervation A  is  $393,812;  the  value  of  improvements,  $318,320;  total, 
$712,132.  The  estimated  value  of  the  land  in  reservation  B  is  $618,625; 
improvements,  $343,620;  total,  $962,245.' 

^  In  1850  Congress  appropriated  $5,000  for  the  removal  of  the  public  greenhouse 
' '  to  some  suitable  site  on  the  public  grounds, ' '  and  for  the  erection  of  ' '  such  other 
greenhouse  as  may  be  deemed  necessary  by  the  Joint  Committee  on  the  Library." 
In  1855  an  appropriation  of  $1,500  was  made  for  the  erection  of  a  suitable  house  "for 
the  plants  recently  brought  from  Japan  for  the  United  States."  Subsequently  the 
grounds  were  sewered,  improved,  and  fenced.  Appropriations  were  made  from  time 
to  time  for  maintenance  and  improvement. 

^  Senate  Document  No.  211,  Fifty-sixth  Congress,  fir.st  session,  gives  the  approximate 
value  of  the  squares  on  the  south  side  of  Pennsylvania  avenue  from  the  Botanic 
Garden  to  Fifteenth  street,  as  follows: 

Tabulated  report  of  the  board  of  assistant  assessors,  giving  an  approximate  value,  etc.,  to  the 
squares  on  the  south  side  of  Pennsylvania  avenue  from  Fifteenth  street  to  the  Botanic 
Garden. 


Square. 

Between— 

Square 
feet. 

Value  of 
ground. 

Value  of 
improve- 
ments. 

Total. 

Rental 
per 

square. 

226 
255 

256 

292 
349 
380 

Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth  streets. 

Thirteenth-and-a-half  and  Four- 
teenth streets. 

Thirteenth  and  Thirteenth-and- 
a-lialf  streets. 

Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  streets... 

Tenth  and  Eleventh  streets 

73,504 
46, 032 

46, 032 

30, 982 
46,004 
36, 318 
76,587 
146, 692 
147, 647 

t624, 157 
317, 621 

290,093 

304, 396 
403, 938 
333, 716 
672, 484 
618, 625 
393, 812 

S3.52, 360 
None. 

292,335 

113,045 
132, 020 
225,400 
294, 055 
343, 620 
318, 320 

1876,617 
317, 621 

682, 428 

417,441 
535, 958 
.5.59, 116 
966, 539 
962, 245 
712, 132 

$49,085 
None. 

34, 946 

24,631 
30, 550 

32, 428 

461 

64, 624 

Reservation  B 
Reservation  A 

Four-and-a-half  and  Sixth  streets. 
Third  and  Four-and-a-half  streets. 

Total 

52, 923 
37,031 

649,848 

3,858,842 

2,071,156 

5,929,997 

326, 218 

By  the  act  of  March  2,  1833,  the  commissioner  of  public  buildings  and  grounds 
was  authorized  to  cause  all  the  open  ground  belonging  to  the  United  States,  which 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  81 

Fourth  street,  a  much- used  thoroughfare,  bisects  the  space  between 
the  Botanical  Gardens  and  Sixth  street,  and  must  be  considered  in  the 
treatment  of  the  space  between  the  Capitol  g-rounds  and  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  occupation. 

The  act  of  February  12,  1901,  provides  that  the  Pennsylvania  Rail- 
road Company  ma}^  use  virtually  the  entire  square  of  the  Mall  between 
Sixth  and  Seventh  streets,  and  on  this  space  may  build  a  station  and 
appurtenances  to  cost  not  less  than  11,500,000  and  an  elevated  roadbed. 
It  is  provided  that  a  street  shall  be  carried  underneath  this  roadbed,  on 
arches  with  an  aggregate  opening  of  not  less  than  200  feet.^ 

The  location  of  the  station  in  the  rear  of  square  -161  must  be  much 
less  satisfactory  than  a  location  on  Pennsylvania  avenue.  The  value 
of  the  square,  with  improvements,  however,  is  about  $1,000,000. 

in  the  original  plan  of  the  city  was  reserved  for  public  walks,  lying  between  Mary- 
land and  Pennsylvania  avenues  to  be  inclosed  with  a  wooden  fence  and  to  lay  down 
the  same,  according  to  such  plan  as  the  President  of  the  United  States  may  approve, 
in  grass  and  intersect  it  by  suitable  paths  and  roads  for  intercourse  and  recreation. 
It  was  provided,  however,  that  "there  shall  be  not  more  than  three  streets  or  roads 
across  the  same  to  connect  the  streets  on  the  north  and  south  sides  of  said  public 
grounds."  In  1848  the  sum  of  $3,628  was  appropriated  for  the  improvement  of  the 
Public  Mall  from  Seventh  street  westward  to  the  Potomac  River,  and  subsequent 
appropriations  increased  the  amount  to  $67,600.83,  which  smn  represents  the  expend- 
itures on  the  Mall  prior  to  1858. 

^Sec.  3.  That  in  order  to  accommodate  the  increasing  passenger,  mail,  express,  and 
other  trathc  in  the  city  of  Washington  the  said  Baltimore  and  Potomac  Railroad 
Company  shall  have  and  be  possessed  of  the  right,  which  is  hereby  granted  and  con- 
ferred, to  occupy  and  use,  on  the  conditions  hereinafter  mentioned,  that  portion  of 
the  Mall  lying  between  B  street  southwest  and  B  street  northwest  as  the  southerly 
line  of  said  B  street  northwest  is  hereinafter  defined,  and  between  the  west  line  of 
Sixth  street  and  a  line  drawn  parallel  therewith  and  three  hundred  and  forty  feet 
west  thereof,  and  to  erect  and  maintain  thereon  a  station  building  and  appurtenances, 
train  sheds,  and  tracks  and  sidings  in  connection  therewith  suitable  and  adequate 
for  the  convenient  accominodation  of  said  traffic;  and  the  said  Baltimore  and  Potomac 
Railroad  Company  shall,  in  connection  with  its  occupation  and  use  of  the  portion  of 
the  Mall  hereby  granted,  locate,  construct,  and  maintain  beneath  its  tracks  and 
structures  on  the  line  of  West  Capitol  street,  as  shown  on  the  city  maj^s,  a  substantial 
arch  or  arches  not  less  than  two  hundred  feet  in  width,  as  a  public  passageway  for 
vehicular  and  pedestrian  traffic  (as  shall  be  approved  by  the  Commissioners  of  the 
District  of  Columbia),  which  shall  be  so  constructed  as  to  afford  roadways  and  side- 
walks; and  the  said  company  shall  also  pave  the  said  passageways  at  the  time  of 
their  construction  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columbia, 
but  thereafter  the  maintenance  of  the  pavement  and  roadways  shall  devolve  upon 
the  said  District  of  Columbia.  The  station  building  to  be  erected  on  the  Mall  shall 
cost  not  less  than  one  million  five  hundred  thousand  dollars,  inclusive  of  the  car 
sheds,  which  shall  be  of  ornamental  or  monumental  character,  and  shall  be  designed, 
so  far  as  practicable,  so  as  not  to  impair  the  appearance  of  the  Mall;  the  plans  thereof 
to  be  approved  by  the  Secretary  of  War:  Provided,  That  upon  the  lands  on  the  Mall 
hereby  granted  to  the  use  of  the  Baltimore  and  Potomac  Railroad  Company  no 
freight  depot,  warehouse,  or  other  structure,  except  such  as  is  necessary  to  its  use  as 
the  site  of  a  passenger  station,  shall  be  erected;  and  that  no  tracks,  except  such  as 
are  necessary  to  the  service  of  such  passenger  station,  shall  be  laid  or  operated  on 
said  land. — Act  of  February  12,  1901. 
P  1—03 6      • 


82  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

The  Mall  from  Sixth  street  to  Fifteenth  street  is  occupied  by  build- 
ings as  follows: 

(1)  The  Fish  Commission.  This  building  is  to  be  torn  down  to  make 
way  for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  tracks  and  a  new  structure  is  to  be 
built.  A  suitable  building  for  the  Fish  Commission  would  cost  about 
1250,000.  The  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  pays  140,000  for  the 
old  building,  which  amount,  less  the  cost  of  destruction  of  the  old 
building,  would  be  available  for  a  new  structure.  The  location  of  the 
new  building  is  to  be  settled.  The  law  seems  to  contemplate  a  loca- 
tion on  what  is  left  of  the  Mall  space  between  Sixth  and  Seventh 
streets,  but  there  is  not  room  for  a  proper  building  there,  because 
there  should  be  at  least  70  feet  between  a  building  occupied  by  clerks 
and  the  elevated  structure,  and  this  would  reduce  the  available  depth 
to  about  4:0  feet.  A  new  location  and  an  aj^j^Topriation  should  he  had 
for  this  huilding.^ 

(2)  The  Army  Medical  Museum.  The  rear  of  this  building,  on  B 
street  south,  and  the  side,  on  Seventh  street,  have  been  completed. 
The  front,  facing  north,  on  the  Mall,  is  yet  to  be  constructed.  The 
characteristics  of  the  architecture,  however,  have  been  fixed  by  those 
portions  of  the  structure  already  built,  and  little  of  dignity  or  beauty 
seems  possible. 

(3)  The  National  Museum.  This  is  a  wide-spreading  building,  for 
the  most  part  of  one  story.  It  is  of  cheap  construction  and  of  cheap 
appearance.  A  new  building,  to  cost  sevei'al  million  dollars,  seems  to 
be  in  prospect,  for  not  one-half  of  the  collections  of  the  Museum  are 
now  displayed.  The  old  buildings  will  doubtless  be  retained  even  if  a 
new  structure  shall  be  built,  for  the  reason  that  the  Government  needs 
buildings. 

(i)  The  Smithsonian  Institution. 

(5)  The  Agricultural  Department  building.  Plans  are  in  prepara- 
tion for  a  new  building  to  occupy  the  present  site.^ 

Coming  to  the  Monument  grounds,  we  find  the  Bureau  of  Engraving 

^  Sec.  5.  That  the  United  States  Fish  Commission  building  and  appurtenances,  now 
located  on  that  part  of  the  Mall  hereby  granted  to  said  Baltimore  and  Potomac  Rail- 
road Company,  shall  be  removed  therefrom  and  rebuilt  on  the  said  Mall  west  of  the 
portion  thereof  so  granted  to  said  railroad  company,  under  the  directions  of  and 
according  to  plans  approved  by  the  Chief  of  Engineers  of  the  United  States  Army; 
and  the  cost  of  such  removal  and  rebuilding  shall  be  defrayed  by  the  said  Baltimoi  e 
and  Potomac  Railroad  Company  to  an  amount  not  exceeding  forty  thousand  dollars: 
Provided,  That  the  expense  of  such  ren:ioval  and  rebuilding  in  excess  of  forty  thou- 
sand dollars  shall  be  paid  by  the  United  States. — Act  of  February  12,  1901. 

'^To  enable  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture  to  have  prepared,  under  his  direction, 
plans  for  a  fireproof  administrative  building,  to  be  erected  on  the  grounds  of  the 
Department  of  Agriculture,  in  the  city  of  "Washington,  said  plans,  and  such  recom- 
mendations thereon  as  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture  may  deem  necessary,  to  be  trans- 
mitted to  Congress  at  its  next  regular  session,  five  thousand  dollars,  to  be  immediately 
available. — Agricultural  appropriation  act  of  March  2,  1901. 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  83 

and  Printing,  a  building  adapted  for  manufacturing;  and  the  sheds  and 
greenhouses  of  the  propagating  gardens,  in  control  of  the  officer  in 
charge  of  the  public  buildings  and  grounds. 

POTOMAC   PARK. 

South  of  the  Monument  grounds  are  the  reclaimed  lands  named 
Potomac  Park.^  The  park  has  an  extent  of  739.42  acres,  including 
the  tidal  basin;  in  part  the  park  consists  of  a  made  island  extending 

^  The  present,  which  is  the  original,  project  for  improvement  was  adopted  by  the 
act  of  Congress  of  August  2,  1882.  It  has  for  its  object  the  improvement  of  the  navi- 
gation of  the  river  by  widening  and  deepening  its  channels,  reclamation  of  the  fiats 
by  depositing  on  them  the  material  dredged  from  the  channels,  the  freeing  of  the 
Washington  Channel,  so  far  as  it  can  be  done,  of  sewage,  and  the  establishment  of 
harbor  lines  beyond  which  no  wharves  shall  be  built.  To  effect  these,  the  project 
provided  for  20  feet  depth  in  the  channels  at  low  water,  for  filling  in  the  flats  to  a 
height  of  3  feet  above  the  flood  plane  of  1877,  and  for  a  tidal  reservoir  or  basin  above 
Long  Bridge,  to  be  provided  with  inlet  and  outlet  gates  of  ample  dimensions,  to  work 
automatically,  and  so  arranged  as  to  admit  of  the  basin  being  filled  from  the  Virginia 
Channel  on  the  flood  tide  and  discharged  into  the  Washington  Channel  on  the  ebb. 
An  ample  system  of  drainage  for  the  reclaimed  area  was  also  contemplated. 

A  training  dike  on  the  Virginia  shore,  extending  downstream  from  the  foot  of 
Analostan  Island,  was  added  to  the  project  in  1890. 

The  project  also  provides  for  the  rebuilding  of  Long  Bridge  at  an  early  period  dur- 
ing the  progress  of  the  improvement,  with  wide  spans  upon  piers  offering  the  least 
possible  obstruction  to  the  flow  of  the  water,  and  the  interception  of  all  sewage  now 
discharged  into  the  Washington  Channel  and  its  conveyance  to  the  James  Creek 
sewer  canal,  but  neither  of  these  works  was  included  in  the  estimated  cost  of  the 
improvement,  which  was  $2,716,365.     The  estimate,  as  revised  in  1897,  is  §2,953,020. 

The  total  of  appropriations  for  this  work  from  August  2,  1882,  to  March  3,  1899,  is 
$2,359,000. 

The  amount  expended  to  the  close  of  the  fiscal  year  ending  .Tune  30,  1899,  was 
$2,206,718.29. 

The  expenditure  resulted  in  the  dredging  of  a  channel  20  feet  deep  and  550  feet 
wide  through  the  bar  above  Long  Bridge  and  in  restoring  the  standard  20-foot  navi- 
gation by  redredging  shoals  due  to  freshets;  in  increasing  the  width  of  the  natural 
channel  just  Vjelow  Long  Bridge  by  50  to  500  feet  and  in  deepening  it  to  20  feet;  in 
dredging  a  channel  350  feet  wide  and  20  feet  deep  through  the  bar  in  the  Virginia 
Channel  near  Giesboro  Point;  in  dredging  the  Washington  Channel  to  a  width  of  400 
feet  and  a  depth  of  20  feet  for  a  navigation  channel,  and  in  dredging  between  this 
navigation  channel  and  the  wall  of  the  adjacent  reclaimed  area  to  a  depth  of  12  feet; 
in  dredging  at  the  junction  of  the  Washington  and  Virginia  channels;  in  dredging 
the  tidal  reservoir  (117  acres)  to  a  depth  of  about  8  feet;  in  the  construction  of  the 
reservoir  outlet,  and  in  the  construction  of  35,289  linear  feet  of  sea  wall,  of  which 
4,910  linear  feet  have  been  taken  down  and  relaid,  and  5,965  linear  feet  of  training 
dike. 

The  total  number  of  cubic  yards  of  material  dredged  from  the  channels,  from  the 
commencement  of  the  improvement  (1882)  to  date,  and  deposited  on  the  flats  is  about 
10,893,607  cubic  yards. 

The  area  of  land  reclaimed  by  these  operations  is  621.12  acres  (or,  including  reser- 
voirs, 739.42  acres) ,  which,  by  act  of  March  3,  1897,  was  declared  to  be  a  public  park, 
under  the  name  of  Potomac  Park. — Report  of  the  Chief  of  Engineers,  United  States 
Army,  1900,  p.  236. 


84  PAEK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

down  the  Potomac  to  a  point  opposite  the  mouth  of  the  Anacostia  River. 
With  the  exception  of  75  acres  occupied  by  the  Agricultural  Depart- 
ment under  a  temporaiy  permit/  Potomac  Park  is  unimproved.  A 
large  tidal  basin,  in  which  a  depth  of  water  of  9  feet  is  preserved,  is 
available  for  boating-  purposes  and  skating.  A  small,  badly  placed, 
ill-kept  swimming  beach  is  maintained  by  the  District  government.  A 
series  of  fish  ponds  used  by  the  Fish  Commission  is  connected  with 
the  tidal  basin.  The  Penns3dvania  Railroad  crosses  the  island,  and  a 
railroad  bridge  and  a  separate  bridge  for  street  railwa}'  and  other  travel 
are  soon  to  be  built  from  the  island  to  the  Virginia  shore. 

THE    RIVER    FRONT. 

From  the  foot  of  Fourteenth  street  to  the  Anacostia  River  the  river 
frontage  is  owned  by  the  United  States.  The  space  for  eleven  blocks 
is  occupied  by  wharves  now  occupied  by  private  parties;  the  remainder 
of  the  frontage  is  used  for  Government  purposes  and  may  readily  be 
turned  into  park  uses  without  detriment  to  its  present  use  for  barracks. 

The  establishment  of  the  title  of  the  United  States  in  the  wharf 
property  is  so  recent  that  the  Government  is  not  yet  in  actual  posses- 
sion, but  is  now  taking  steps  to  obtain  possession.  Man37^  of  the 
wharves  must  be  renewed  at  an  earh^  date. 

BRIDGES. 

Connecticut  avemie  hridge. — There  are  now  under  construction  two 
important  bridges  across  Rock  Creek.  The  Connecticut  avenue  bridge 
will  form  a  part  of  the  park  scheme.  The  bridge  is  to  rest  on  ten 
piers,  which  are  now  in  course  of  construction.  The  plans  were 
drawn  b}"  George  S.  Morison,  but  the  construction  of  the  bridge  is  in 
charge  of  the  engineer  department  of  the  District  government.  It 
has  not  been  decided  delinitel}^  whether  the  superstructure  will  be  of 
stone  or  concrete.^ 

Massachusetts  avenue  hridge. — The  Massachusetts  avenue  bridge  is 
to  be  a  50-foot  masonry  arch  230  feet  long,  to  cost  1225,000  or  more, 
according  to  the  pavement  used.  The  plan  involves  carrying  the  fuM 
width  of  Massachusetts  avenue  across  the  creek. ^ 

M<nnorial  hridge. — The  project  for  a  monumental  bridge  across  the 
Potomac  originated  with  President  Andrew  Jackson,  as  Daniel  Web- 
ster asserts  in  his  oration  on  laying  the  corner  stone  of  the  extension 
of  the  Capitol.*  The  subject  has  been  widely  discussed  and  has  a  deep 
hold  on  the  people  of  the  District.     The  sundry  civil  act  of  March  3, 

^  Act  of  March  3,  1899,  relative  to  the  control  of  wharf  property  in  the  District  of 
Columbia. 

^Senate  Document  No.  96,  Fifty-fifth  Congress,  first  session.  The  cost  for  concrete 
is  $750,000;  for  granite,  $1,089,000. 

^  House  Document  No.  163,  Fifty-fifth  Congress,  second  session. 

*  Webster's  Works,  Vol.  II,  p.  620. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTETOT    OF    COLUMBIA.  85 

1899,  appropriiited  $5,000  for  securing  designs  and  estimates  for  such 
a  bridge;  and  in  accordance  with  this  provision  designs  were  invited 
from  and  were  submitted  by  William  H.  Burr,  William  11.  Hutton, 
L.  L.  Buck,  and  George  S.  Morison.  The  Chief  of  Engineers,  after 
consultation  with  the  President  and  the  Secretary  of  War,  invited 
Stanford  White,  of  New  York,  and  James  G.  Hill,  of  Washington,  to 
pass  upon  the'  architectural  features  of  the  plans.  The  engineer  mem- 
bership of  the  board  was  made  up  of  Lieut.  Col.  Charles  J.  Allen,  Maj. 
Thomas  W.  Symons,  Capt.  David  Du  B.  Gaillard.  The  board  recom- 
mended a  combination  of  Professor  Burr's  plans,  the  architectural 
features  of  which  were  designed  b}"  Edward  P.  Case}'.  Mr.  Hutton 
was  assisted  by  Ernest  Flagg.  Mr.  Buck  was  assisted  by  W.  H.  Breit- 
haupt,  consulting  engineer,  and  by  Carrere  &  Hastings  and  Walker  & 
Morris,  architects;  and  Mr.  Morison  had  the  assistance  of  William 
Emerson,  architect,  and  W.  F.  Smith,  assistant  engineer. 

The  report  of  the  board  was  transmitted  to  Congress,^  but  no  appro- 
priations have  been  made  to  carry  it  into  effect.  At  the  second  session 
of  the  Fifty-sixth  Congress  a  criticism  was  made  on  the  Burr  plans  by 
George  Keller,  architect.  The  plans  were  defended  by  Professor  Burr 
and  Mr.  Casey.  ^ 

Aqueduct  Bridge. — The  Aqueduct  Bridge,  connecting  Georgetown 
with  Fort  Mj^er  and  Arlington,  is  in  an  unsafe  condition,  and  must 
be  entirely  rebuilt.  The  bridge  now  rests  on  nine  piers,  and  in  the 
reconstruction  it  is  proposed  to  do  away  with  five  of  these  piers.  One 
pier  having  been  rebuilt  recenth^,  four  new  piers  will  be  necessar3^^ 

Long  Bridge. — Under  the  operations  of  the  act  for  the  relocation  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  tracks,  the  Long  Bridge  is  to  be  replaced 
by  a  modern  railroad  bridge,  and  the  traffic  bridge,  which  has  been 
maintained  in  connection  with  the  railroad  bridge,  is  to  be  replaced 
also  by  a  modern  ^structure  to  be  located  not  less  than  500  feet  above 
Long  Bridge.  As  both  the  railroad  and  the  road  leading  to  the  new 
bridge  cross  Potomac  Park,  the  treatment  of  such  crossings  comes  into 
the  park  scheme.  The  traific  bridge  is  to  be  adapted  for  street-railway 
purposes  and  the  street  railroad  that  now  crosses  Long  Bridge  will 
cross  above  the  park  and  the  new  bridge  to  l^e  provided. 

ANALOSTAN    ISLAND. 

From  the  upper  end  of  the  Potomac  Park  there  is  private  wharf 
property  extending  for  five  blocks,  to  the  mouth  of  Rock  Creek. 

Analostan  Island  lies  in  the  Potomac  River,  directly  opposite  the 
mouth  of  Rock  Creek  and  opposite  also  the  reclaimed  flats  which  have 

'House  Document  No.  578,  Fifty-sixth  Congress,  first  session. 

^Hearing  before  the  Senate  Committee  on  the  District  of  Cohnnbia,  January  16, 
1901. 

^See  correspondence  on  "Rebuilding  Aqueduct  Bridge,"  printed  for  the  use  of  the 
Senate  Committee  on  the  District  of  Columbia,  February  27,  1901. 


86  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

become  a  part  of  the  park  S3^stem  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  Situ- 
ated above  the  main  portion  of  the  city,  Analostan  Island  might  easily 
become  the  propert}^  of  persons  who  would  use  it  for  business  purposes 
of  an  offensive  nature.  Moreover,  it  is  probable  that  at  some  day  in 
the  future  a  memorial  bridge  will  be  constructed  at  the  foot  of  New 
York  avenue.  Such  bridge  will  pass  directl}"  over  the  marshes  which 
form  the  lower  part  of  Analostan  Island. 

The  island  can  now  be  purchased  for  a  moderate  sum,  probably  for 
$112,500.  It  contains  about  .51:  acres  of  solid  ground  above  the  ordi- 
nary" level  of  the  tides  and  about  21  acres  of  swamps  at  about  the 
level  of  low  tide.  Besides  this  there  are  a  number  of  acres  partially 
submerged,  which  could  easily  be  reclaimed.  Also  the  Government 
owns  the  land  on  the  Virginia  side  of  the  river  between  the  Arlington 
Cemetery  and  the  water,  so  that  the  island  really  lies  between  two 
portions  of  Government  property,  and  its  situation  makes  it  inevitable 
that  some  da}-  it  must  become  Government  property.^ 

OLD    NAVAL    OBSERVATORY    GROUNDS. 

The  grounds  of  the  Old  Naval  Observatorj^,  about  30  acres  in  extent, 
border  upon  Potomac  Park,  between  Twenty-third  and  Twentj^-fifth 
streets.  These  grounds  are  now  occupied  by  the  Naval  Museum  of 
Hygiene,  and  5  acres  of  them  have  been  set  apart  for  a  laboratory,  to 
be  built  at  a  cost  of  $35,000,  for  the  Marine-Hospital  Service.  The 
grounds  are  now  largelv  occupied  by  the  buildings  alread}"  erected, 
but  possibly  an  entrance  to  Potomac  Park  could  be  secured  through 
them. 

ROCK    CREEK. 

The  mouth  of  Rock  Creek  is  used  for  lock  purposes,  as  a  means  of 
connecting  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal  with  the  Potomac  River. 
From  the  southern  boundary  of  the  Zoological  Park  to  its  mouth  Rock 
Creek  flows  between  high  banks,  which  are  used  in  part  for  dumping 
purposes.  The  improvement  of  the  stream  is  considered  an  essential 
feature  in  an}'  park  plan  and  as  one  of  the  first  things  to  be  consid- 
ered. Certain  improvements,  involving  small  expenditures,  are  now 
in  progress  just  south  of  the  Zoological  Park. 

THE    ZOOLOGICAL   PARK. 

The  Zoological  Park  is  in  charge  of  Professor  Langley,  Secretary  of 
the  Smithsonian  Institution.  It  has  been  laid  out  and  improved,  and 
in  this  work  Mr.  Olmsted  has  advised.^ 

^See  Senate  report  No.  963,  Fifty -fourth  Congress,  first  session. 

^  Sec.  4.  For  the  establishment  of  a  zoological  park  in  the  District  of  Columbia, 
two  hundred  thousand  dollars,  to  be  expended  under  and  in  accordance  with  the 
provisions  following,  that  is  to  say: 

That  in  order  to  estabhsh  a  zoological  park  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  for  the 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  87 

ROCK   CREEK   PARK. 

Rock  Creek  Park,  established  b}^  the  act  of  September  27,  1890, 
consists  of  2,000  acres  of  land  lying  along  both  banks  of  Rock  Creek 

advancement  of  science  and  the  instruction  and  recreation  of  the  people,  a  commis- 
sion shall  be  constituted,  composed  of  three  persons,  namely:  The  Secretary  of  the 
Interior,  the  president  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columbia, 
and  the  Secretary  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  which  shall  be  known  and  desig- 
nated as  the  commission  for  the  establishment  of  a  zoological  park. 

That  the  said  commission  is  hereby  authorized  and  directed  to  make  an  inspection 
of  the  country  along  Rock  Creek,  between  Massachusetts  avenue  extended  and  where 
said  creek  is  crossed  by  the  road  leading  west  from  Brightwood  crosses  said  creek, 
and  to  select  from  that  district  of  country  such  a  tract  of  land,  of  not  less  than  one 
hundred  acres,  which  shall  include  a  section  of  the  creek,  as  said  commission  shall 
deem  to  be  suitable  and  appropriate  for  a  zoological  park. 

That  the  said  commission  shall  cause  to  be  made  a  careful  map  of  said  Zoological 
Park,  showing  the  location,  quantity,  and  character  of  each  parcel  of  private  property 
to  be  taken  for  such  purpose,  with  the  names  of  the  respective  owners  inscribed 
thereon,  and  the  said  map  shall  be  filed  and  recorded  in  the  public  records  of  the 
District  of  Columbia;  and  from  and  after  that  date  the  several  tracts  and  parcels  of 
land  embraced  in  such  Zoological  Park  shall  be  held  as  condemned  for  public  uses, 
subject  to  the  payment  of  just  compensation,  to  be  determined  by  the  said  commis- 
sion and  approved  by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  provided  that  such  com- 
pensation be  accepted  by  the  owner  or  owners  of  the  several  parcels  of  land. 

That  if  the  said  commission  shall  be  unable  to  purchase  any  portion  of  the  land  so 
selected  and  condemned  within  thirty  days  after  such  condemnation,  by  agreement 
with  the  respective  owners,  at  the  price  approved  by  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  it  shall,  at  the  expiration  of  such  period  of  thirty  days,  make  application  to 
the  supreme  court  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  by  petition,  at  a  general  or  special 
term,  for  an  assessment  of  the  value  of  such  land,  and  said  petition  shall  contain  a 
particular  description  of  the  property  selected  and  condemned,  with  the  name  of  the 
owner  or  owners  thereof,  and  his,  her,  or  their  residences,  as  far  as  the  same  may  be 
ascertained,  together  with  a  copy  of  the  recorded  map  of  the  park;  and  the  said  court 
is  hereby  authorized  and  required,  upon  such  application,  without  delay,  to  notify 
the  owners  and  occuj^ants  of  the  land  and  to  ascertain  and  assess  the  value  of  the 
land  so  selected  and  condemned  by  appointing  three  commissioners  to  appraise  the 
value  or  values  thereof,  and  to  return  the  appraisement  to  the  court;  and  when  the 
values  of  such  land  are  thus  ascertained,  and  the  President  shall  deem  the  same  rea- 
sonable, said  values  shall  be  paid  to  the  owner  or  owners,  and  the  United  States 
shall  be  deemed  to  have  a  valid  title  to  said  lands. 

That  the  said  commission  is  hereby  authorized  to  call  upon  the  Superintendent  of 
the  Coast  and  Geodetic  Survey,  or  the  Director  of  the  Geological  Survey  to  make 
such  surveys  as  may  be  necessary  to  carry  into  effect  the  provisions  of  this  section; 
and  the  said  officers  are  hereby  authorized  and  required  to  make  such  surveys  under 
the  direction  of  said  commission. — District  of  Columbia  appropriation  act  of  March 
2,  1889. 

Sec.  2.  That  the  National  Zoological  Park  is  hereby  placed  under  the  directions  of 
the  Regents  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  who  are  authorized  to  transfer  to  it  any 
living  specimens,  whether  of  animals  or  plants,  now  or  hereafter  in  their  charge,  to 
accept  gifts  for  the  park  at  their  discretion,  in  the  name  of  the  United  States,  to 
make  exchanges  of  specimens,  and  to  administer  the  said  Zoological  Park  for  the 
advancement  of  science  and  the  instruction  and  recreation  of  the  people. 

Sec.  3.  That  the  heads  of  executive  departments  of  the  Government  are  hereby 
authorized  and  directed  to  cause  to  be  rendered  all  necessary  and  practicable  aid  to 
the  said  Regents  in  the  acquisition  of  collections  for  the  Zoological  Park. — Act  of 
April  30,  1890. 


88  PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

and  extending  northward  from  the  Zoological  Park  to  the  northwest 
corner  of  the  District.  The  park  is  under  the  joint  control  of  the 
Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columbia  and  the  Chief  of  Engineers 
of  the  United  States  Army,  whose  duty  it  is  "  to  lay  out  and  prepare 
roadways  and  bridle  paths,  to  be  used  for  driving  and  for  horseback 
riding,  respectively,  and  footways  for  pedestrians."^ 

IAN  ACT  authorizing  the  establishing  of  a  public  park  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  of  America 
in  Congress  assembled,  That  a  tract  of  land  lying  on  both  sides  of  Rock  Creek,  begin- 
ning at  Klingle  Ford  Bridge,  and  running  northwardly,  following  the  course  of  said 
creek,  of  a  width  not  less  at  any  point  than  six  hundred  feet,  nor  more  than  twelve 
hundred  feet,  including  the  bed  of  the  creek,  of  which  not  less  than  two  hundred 
feet  shall  be  on  either  side  of  said  creek,  south  of  Broad  Branch  road  and  Blagden 
Mill  road  and  of  such  greater  wddth  north  of  said  roads  as  the  commissioners  desig- 
nated in  this  act  may  select,  shall  be  secured,  as  hereinafter  set  out,  and  be  perpetu- 
alUy  dedicated  and  set  apart  as  a  public  park  or  pleasure  ground  for  the  benefit  and 
enjoyment  of  the  people  of  the  United  States,  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  Rock 
Creek  Park:  Provided,  hoivever.  That  the  whole  tract  so  to  be  selected  and  condemned 
under  the  provisions  of  this  act  shall  not  exceed  two  thousand  acres  nor  the  total  cost 
thereof  exceed  the  amount  of  money  herein  appropriated. 

Sec.  2.  That  the  Chief  of  Engineers  of  the  United  States  Army,  the  Engineer  Com- 
missioner of  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  three  citizens  to  be  appointed  by  the  Presi- 
dent, by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  be,  and  they  are  hereby, 
created  a  commission  to  select  the  land  for  said  park,  of  the  quantity  and  within  the 
limits  aforesaid,  and  to  have  the  same  surveyed  by  the  assistant  to  the  said  Engineer 
Commissioner  of  the  District  of  Columbia  in  charge  of  public  highways,  which  said 
assistant  shall  also  act  as  executive  officer  to  the  said  commission. 

Sec.  3.  That  the  said  commission  shall  cause  to  be  made  an  accurate  map  of  said 
Rock  Creek  Park,  showing  the  location,  quantity,  and  character  of  each  parcel  of 
private  property  to  be  taken  for  such  purpose,  with  the  names  of  the  respective  own- 
ers inscribed  thereon,  which  map  shall  be  filed  and  recorded  in  the  public  records  of 
the  District  of  Columbia,  and  from  and  after  the  date  of  filing  said  map  the  several 
tracts  and  parcels  of  land  embraced  in  said  Rock  Creek  Park  shall  be  held  as  con- 
demned for  public  uses,  and  the  title  thereof  vested  in  the  United  States,  subject  to 
the  payment  of  just  compensation,  to  be  determined  by  said  commission,  and  approved 
by  the  President  of  the  United  States:  Provided,  That  such  compensation  be  accepted 
by  the  owner  or  owners  of  the  several  parcels  of  land. 

That  if  the  said  commission  shall  be  unable  by  agreement  with  the  respective  own- 
ers to  purchase  all  of  the  land  so  selected  and  condemned  within  thirty  days  after 
such  condemnation,  at  the  price  approved  by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  it 
shall,  at  the  expiration  of  such  period  of  thirty  days,  make  application  to  the  supreme 
court  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  by  petition,  at  a  general  or  special  term,  for  an 
assessment  of  the  value  of  such  land  as  it  has  been  unable  to  purchase. 

Said  petition  shall  contain  a  particular  description  of  the  property  selected  and 
condemned,  with  the  name  of  the  owner  or  owners  thereof,  if  known,  and  their  resi- 
dences, as  far  as  the  same  may  be  ascertained,  together  with  a  copy  of  the  recorded 
map  of  the  park;  and  the  said  court  is  hereby  authorized  and  required,  upon  such 
application,  without  delay,  to  notify  the  owners  and  occupants  of  the  land,  if  known, 
by  personal  service,  and  if  unknown,  by  service  by  publication,  and  to  ascertain  and 
assess  the  value  of  the  land  so  selected  and  condemned,  by  appointing  three  compe- 
tent and  disinterested  commissioners  to  appraise  the  value  or  values  thereof,  and  to 
return  the  appraisement  to  the  court;  and  when  the  value  or  values  of  such  land  are 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  89 

Rock  Creek  Park  is  unimproved  save  for  a  single  road  now  buikling 
along-  the  right  bank  of  the  creek  and  one  or  two  roads  crossing  the 

thus  ascertained,  and  the  President  of  the  United  States  shall  decide  the  same  to  be 
reasonable,  said  value  or  values  shall  be  paid  to  the  owner  or  owners,  and  the  United 
States  shall  be  deemed  to  have  a  valid  title  to  said  land;  and  if  in  any  case  the  owner 
or  owners  of  any  portion  of  said  land  shall  refuse  or  neglect,  after  the  appraisement 
of  the  cash  value  of  said  lands  and  improvements,  to  demand  or  receive  the  same 
from  said  court,  upon  depositing  the  appraised  value  in  said  court  to  the  credit  of 
such  owner  or  owners,  respectively,  the  fee  simple  shall  in  like  manner  be  vested  in 
the  United  States. 

Sec.  4.  That  said  court  may  direct  the  time  and  manner  in  which  possession  of 
the  property  condemned  shall  be  taken  or  delivered,  and  ma}',  if  necessary,  enforce 
any  order  or  issue  any  process  for  giving  possession. 

Sec.  5.  That  no  delay  in  making  an  assessment  of  compensation,  or  in  taking  pos- 
session, shall  be  occasioned  by  any  doubt  which  may  arise  as  to  the  ownership  of 
the  property,  or  any  part  thereof,  or  as  to  the  interests  of  the  respective  owners.  In 
such  cases  the  court  shall  require  a  deposit  of  the  money  allowed  as  compensation 
for  the  whole  propert}'  or  the  part  in  dispute.  In  all  cases  as  soon  as  the  said  com- 
mission shall  have  paid  the  compensation  assessed,  or  secured  its  payment  by  a 
deposit  of  money  under  the  order  of  the  court,  possession  of  the  propert}'  may  be 
taken.  All  proceedings  hereunder  shall  be  in  the  name  of  the  United  States  of 
America  and  managed  by  the  commission. 

Sec.  6.  That  the  commission  having  ascertained  the  cost  of  the  land,  including 
expenses,  shall  assess  such  proportion  of  such  cost  and  expenses  upon  the  lands,  lots, 
and  blocks  situated  in  the  District  of  Columbia  specially  benefited  b}'  reason  of  the 
location  and  improvement  of  said  park,  as  nearly  as  may  be,  in  proportion  to  the 
benefits  resulting  to  such  real  estate. 

If  said  commission  shall  find  that  the  real  estate  in  said  District  directly  benefited 
by  reason  of  the  location  of  the  park  is  not  benefited  to  the  full  extent  of  the  esti- 
mated cost  and  expenses,  then  they  shall  assess  each  tract  or  parcel  of  land  sjiecially 
benefited  to  the  extent  of  such  benefits  as  they  shall  deem  the  said  real  estate  spe- 
cially benefited.  The  commission  shall  give  at  least  ten  days'  notice,  in  one  daily 
newspaper  published  in  the  city  of  Washington,  of  the  time  and  place  of  their  meet- 
ing for  the  purpose  of  making  such  assessment  and  may  adjourn  from  time  to  time 
till  the  same  be  completed.  In  making  the  assessment  the  real  estate  benefited  shall 
be  assessed  by  the  description  as  api^ears  of  record  in  the  District  on  the  day  of  the 
first  meeting;  but  no  error  in  description  shall  vitiate  the  assessment:  Provided,  That 
the  premises  are  described  with  substantial  accuracy.  The  commission  shall  esti- 
mate the  value  of  the  different  parcels  of  real  estate  benefited  as  aforesaid  and  the 
amount  assessed  against  each  tract  or  parcel,  and  enter  all  in  an  assessment  book. 
All  persons  interested  may  appear  and  be  heard.  When  the  assessment  shall  be 
completed  it  shall  be  signed  by  the  commission,  or  a  majority  (which  majority  shall 
have  power  always  to  act),  and  be  filed  in  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  the  supreme 
court  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  The  commission  shall  apply  to  the  court  for  a 
confirmation  of  said  assessment,  giving  at  least  ten  days'  notice  of  the  time  thereof 
by  publication  in  one  daily  newspaper  published  in  the  cit}'  of  Washington,  which 
notice  shall  state  in  general  terms  the  subject  and  the  object  of  the  application. 

The  said  court  shall  have  power,  after  said  notice  shall  have  been  duly  given,  to 
hear  and  determine  all  matters  connected  with  said  assessment;  and  may  revise, 
correct,  amend,  and  confirm  said  assessment,  in  whole  or  in  part,  or  order  a  new 
assessment,  in  whole  or  in  part,  with  or  without  further  notice  or  on  such  notice  as 
it  shall  prescribe;  but  no  order  for  a  new  assessment  in  part,  or  any  partial  adverse 
action,  shall  hinder  or  delay  confirmation  of  the  residue,  or  collection  of  the  assess- 


90  PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

park  from  east  to  west,  built  for  the  sake  of  giving  access  between  the 
eastern  and  western  portions  of  the  District  that  have  long  been  cut 

ment  thereon.  Confirmation  of  any  part  of  the  assessment  shall  make  the  same  a 
lien  on  the  real  estate  assessed. 

The  assessment,  when  confirmed,  shall  be  divided  into  four  equal  installments, 
and  may  be  paid  by  any  party  interested  in  full  or  in  one,  two,  three,  and  four  years, 
on  or  before  which  times  all  shall  be  payable,  with  six  per  centum  annual  interest 
on  all  deferred  payments.  All  payments  shall  be  made  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  United 
States,  who  shall  keep  the  account  as  a  separate  fund.  The  orders  of  the  court  shall 
be  conclusive  evidence  of  the  regularity  of  all  previous  proceedings  necessary  to  the 
validity  thereof,  and  of  all  matters  recited  in  said  orders.  The  clerk  of  said  court 
shall  keep  a  record  of  all  proceedings  in  regard  to  said  assessment  and  confirmation. 
The  commission  shall  furnish  the  said  clerk  with  a  duplicate  of  its  assessment  book, 
and  in  both  shall  be  entered  any  change  made  or  ordered  by  the  court  as  to  any  real 
estate.  Such  book  filed  with  the  clerk  when  completed  and  certified  shall  be  prima 
facie  evidence  of  all  facts  recited  therein.  In  case  assessments  are  not  paid  as  afore- 
said the  book  of  assessments  certified  by  the  clerk  of  the  court  shall  be  delivered  to 
the  officer  charged  by  law  with  the  duty  of  collecting  delinquent  taxes  in  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia,  who  shall  jsroceed  to  collect  the  same  as  delinquent  real  estate 
taxes  are  collected.  No  sale  for  any  installment  of  assessment  shall  discharge  the 
real  estate  from  any  subsequent  installment;  and  proceedings  for  subsequent  install- 
ments shall  be  as  if  no  default  had  been  made  in  prior  ones. 

All  money  so  collected  may  be  paid  by  the  Treasurer  on  the  order  of  the  commis- 
sion to  any  persons  entitled  thereto  as  compensation  for  land  or  services.  Such  order 
on  the  Treasurer  shall  be  signed  by  a  majority  of  the  commission  and  shall  specify 
fully  the  purpose  for  which  it  is  drawn.  If  the  proceeds  of  assessment  exceed  the 
cost  of  the  park  the  excess  shall  be  used  in  its  improvement,  under  the  direction  of 
the  officers  named  in  section  eight,  if  such  excess  shall  not  exceed  the  amount  of  ten 
thousand  dollars.  If  it  shall  exceed  that  amount,  that  part  above  ten  thousand  dol- 
lars shall  ])e  refunded  ratably.  Public  officers  performing  any  duty  hereunder  shall 
be  allowed  such  fees  and  compensation  as  they  would  be  entitled  to  in  like  cases  of 
collecting  taxes.  The  civilian  members  of  the  commission  shall  be  allowed  ten  dol- 
lars per  day  each  for  each  day  of  actual  service.  Deeds  made  to  purchasers  at  sales 
for  delinquent  assessments  hereunder  shall  be  prima  facie  evidence  of  the  right  of  the 
purchaser,  and  anyone  claiming  under  him,  that  the  real  estate  was  subject  to 
assessment  and  directly  benefited,  and  that  the  assessment  was  regularly  made;  that 
the  assessment  was  not  paid;  that  due  advertisement  had  been  made;  that  the 
grantee  in  the  deed  was  the  purchaser  or  assignee  of  the  purchaser,  and  that  the  sale 
was  conducted  legally. 

Any  judgment  for  the  sale  of  any  real  estate  for  unpaid  assessments  shall  be  con- 
clusive evidence  of  its  regularity  and  validity  in  all  collateral  proceedings  except 
when  the  assessment  was  actually  paid,  and  the  judgment  shall  estop  all  persons 
from  raising  any  objection  thereto,  or  to  any  sale  or  deed  based  thereon,  which 
existed  at  the  date  of  its  rendition,  and  could  have  been  presented  as  a  defense  to  the 
application  for  such  judgment. 

To  pay  the  expenses  of  inquiry,  survey,  assessment,  cost  of  lands  taken,  and  all 
other  necessary  expenses  incidental  thereto,  the  sum  of  one  million  two  hundred 
thousand  dollars,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  is  hereby  appropriated 
out  of  any  money  in  the  Treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated:  Provided,  That  one- 
half  of  said  sum  of  one  million  two  hundred  thousand  dollars,  or  so  much  thereof  as 
may  be  expended,  shall  be  reimbursed  to  the  Treasurj-  of  the  United  States  out  of 
the  revenues  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  in  four  equal  annual  izastallments,  with 
interest  at  the  rate  of  three  per  centum  per  annum  upon  the  deferred  payments:  A)id 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  91 

off  b}"  the  park.  Rock  Creek  Park  as  it  exists  to-day  is  practically 
isolated,  the  only  public  entrance  to  it  being  through  the  Zoological 
Park.  Capt.  Lansing  H.  Beach,  the  Engineer  Commissioner  of  the 
District  of  Columbia,  replying  to  inquiries  of  Senator  McMillan  in  the 
letter  dated  February  2,  1901,  says: 

Massachusetts  avenue,  Connecticut  avenue,  and  Sixteenth  street  are  Ukely  to  become 
main  drives  or  thoroughfares,  and  it  is  important  to  provide  means  of  quickly  and 
easily  reaching  the  park  in  leaving  the  city  by  those  avenues.  Following  Sixteenth 
street,  the  first  and  most  natural  entrance  to  Rock  Creek  Valley  is  where  Sixteenth 
street  crosses  Piney  Branch.  An  excellent  grade  can  be  obtained  by  following  Piney 
Branch,  and  the  natural  scenery  along  such  road  makes  it  a  desirable  addition  to  Rock 
Creek  Park. 

Probably  it  will  be  thought  judicious  to  extend  this  farther  up  the 
valley  of  the  Piney  Branch,  certainly  to  Fourteenth  street  and  possibly 
beyond  that  point.     Captain  Beach  further  says: 

Following  Connecticut  avenue,  it  is  found  that  the  elevation  of  the  avenue  pre- 
cludes any  natural  entrance  into  Rock  Creek  Valley  until  the  ravine  leading  toward 
Rock  Creek  and  lying  north  of  the  Zoological  Park  is  reached.  The  first  natural 
entrance  is  noted  on  the  map  as  starting  from  a  point  near  Cleveland  Park  and  run- 
nmg  to  the  Klingle  road,  at  the  southern  boundary  of  Rock  Creek  Park.  It  fol- 
lows a  natural  depression,  affords  a  good  grade,  and  is  capable  of  being  made  into  an 
exceedingly  pretty  and  picturesque  drive.  It  has  the  advantage  of  reaching  the 
extreme  southern  limit  of  the  park,  thus  affording  entrance  at  a  verj^  desirable  point. 
It  is  to  be  noted  also  that  the  entrance  from  Connecticut  avenue  is  almost  opposite 
the  one  on  Sixteenth  street  leading  down  Piney  Branch  Valley. 

This  entrance  has  already  been  laid  out  and  is  to-day  more  park-like 
in  appearance  than  the  park  itself. 

The  proposition  to  purchase  the  lands  along  this  ravine  came  before 
Congress  at  the  recent  session;  and  while  it  was  admitted  that  the  pur- 
chase must  be  made  at  an  early  date,  it  was  not  thought  judicious  to  buy 
land  at  that  time.  It  is  probable  that  the  new  Bureau  of  Standards 
will  take  a  portion  of  this  land  for  a  building,  to  cost  $250,000,  which 

provided  further;  That  one-half  of  the  sum  which  shall  be  annually  appropriated  and 
expended  for  the  maintenance  and  improvement  of  said  lands  as  a  public  park  shall 
be  charged  against  and  paid  out  of  the  revenues  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  in  the 
manner  now  provided  by  law  in  respect  to  other  appropriations  for  the  District  of 
Columbia,  and  the  other  half  shall  be  appropriated  out  of  the  Treasury  of  the  United 
States. 

Sec.  7.  That  the  public  park  authorized  and  established  by  this  act  shall  be  under 
the  joint  control  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columbia  and  the  Chief  of 
Engineers  of  the  United  States  Army,  whose  duty  it  shall  be,  as  soon  as  practicable, 
to  lay  out  and  prepare  roadways  and  bridle  paths,  to  be  used  for  driving  and  for 
horseback  riding,  respectively,  and  footways  for  pedestrians;  and  whose  duty  it  shall 
also  be  to  make  and  publish  such  regulations  as  they  deem  necessary  or  proper  for 
the  care  and  management  of  the  same.  Such  regulations  shall  provide  for  the  pres- 
ervation from  injury  or  spoliation  of  all  timber,  animals,  or  curiosities  within  said 
park,  and  their  retention  in  their  natural  condition,  as  nearly  as  possible. 

Approved,  September  27,  1890. 


92  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OP    COLUMBIA. 

building  would  naturally  and  almost  of  necessity  be  in  one  of  the 
parks  in  order  to  secure  the  necessary  seclusion,  light,  and  air. 
Further,  Captain  Beach  says: 

Following  the  line  of  Massachusetts  avenue,  the  natural  entrance  to  the  park  is, 
of  course,  along  the  banks  of  Rock  Creek,  and  the  extension  of  the  Zoological  Park 
to  Massachusetts  avenue  has  been  suggested  a  number  of  times  in  previous  years. 
The  parties  owning  the  land  embraced  within  the  several  proposed  extensions  are,  as 
far  as  known  to  the  office,  gentlemen  of  public  spirit,  who  would  be  willing  to  sell 
the  land  at  very  reasonable  rates. 

Under  these  conditions  it  would  seem  to  be  good  public  policy  to  acquire  the  land 
as  soon  as  possible,  as  land  values  are  probably  much  less  now  than  they  will  be  if 
the  acquirement  of  the  property  is  postponed  for  any  length  of  time.  Parties  owning 
the  land  adjacent  to  Connecticut  avenue  have  offered  it  at  a  price  which  is  believed 
to  be  considerably  less  than  that  on  the  surrounding  property;  and  as  the  tract  has 
been  much  improved,  this  is  an  exceedingly  good  chance  to  obtain  possession  of  the 
ground.  They  also  offer  to  dedicate  streets  on  each  side,  as  shown  by  the  highway- 
extension  plans. 

A  large  part  of  the  connection  with  Massachusetts  avenue  is  held  by  a  gentleman 
who  has  informed  the  Commissioners  that  the  ground  was  purchased  by  him  with 
the  idea  that  it  would  eventually  go  to  the  park  and  that  it  can  be  obtained  at  any 
time  at  the  j^rice  he  paid  for  it  some  years  ago.  The  owners  of  a  large  portion  of  the 
tract  along  Piney  Branch  leading  to  Sixteenth  street  have  informed  the  Commis- 
sioners that  they  are  willing  to  sell  at  a  very  reasonable  rate. 

FORT   DRIVE. 

North  of  the  city  and  near  the  District  line  is  a  chain  of  forts  that 
were  constructed  during  the  rebellion  for  the  defense  of  Washington. 
Among  these  is  Fort  Stevens,  where  President  Lincoln  was  under  fire. 
Several  of  those  earthworks  are  now  in  a  fairly  good  state  of  preser- 
vation. Fort  Reno  is  the  site  of  a  Government  reservation,  another 
of  the  forts  is  within  Rock  Creek  Park,  and  still  others  are  adjacent  to 
the  streets  laid  down  in  the  highwaj^-extension  plans.  A  statement 
has  been  prepared  giving  the  history  of  these  forts  and  the  public 
expressions  of  opinion  favoring  a  drive  to  connect  them.^ 

CONNECTION    BETW^EEN    ROCK   CREEK   PARK   AND    THE    SOLDIERS'    HOME 

GROUNDS. 

The  connection  between  Rock  Creek  and  the  Soldiers'  Home  grounds 
is  a  subject  that  will  force  itself  upon  the  consideration  of  the  com- 
mission. 

RECLAMATION    OF   THE    ANACOSTIA    FLATS. 

The  reclamation  of  the  Anacostia  flats  and  the  creation  of  a  park  in 
the  eastern  portion  of  the  city,  to  correspond  with  Rock  Creek  Park 
in  the  west,  is  a  subject  in  which  there  is  great  popular  interest.  The 
Potomac  Park  was  created  at  the  expense  entireh"  of  the  United  States, 
the  appropriations  being  made  in  the  river  and  harbor  acts  from  year 

^  This  statement  has  been  printed  for  the  use  of  the  Senate  Committee  on  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  as  No.  4  of  the  park-improvement  papers. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  93 

to  year.  The  present  head  of  navigation  in  the  Anacostia  River  is 
practicall}'  the  Navy-Yard  Bridge,  although  this  bridge  has  a  draw, 
and,  should  the  channel  permit,  vessels  might  go  as  high  as  the  Penn- 
sylvania avenue  bridge. 

The  subject  of  the  reclamation  of  these  flats  has  been  studied  by  the 
War  Department,  whose  report  is  to  be  found  in  House  Document  No. 
87,  Fifty-fifth  Congress,  third  session.  Inasmuch  as  the  navy -yard  is 
situated  on  the  Anacostia  River,  the  improvement  of  this  part  of  the 
river  is  a  proper  subject  for  national  legislation.  Indeed,  the  river 
and  harbor  bill  that  failed  to  become  a  law  during  the  past  session  of 
Congress  contained  an  item  of  $112,000  to  begin  this  work  according 
to  a  project  that  called  for  an  expenditure  of  $1,218,525. 

As  the  city  increases  in  size  undoubtedly  that  portion  of  the  river 
between  the  Navv-Yard  Bridge  and  the  Benning  Bridge  will  be 
needed  for  wharf  purposes,  and  this  stretch  also  may  reasonably  be 
considered  within  the  province  of  national  legislation.  The  estimated 
cost  of  this  improvement  is  $979,195. 

The  portion  of  the  river  above  the  Benning  Bridge  would  then  fall 
to  the  care  of  the  District  of  Columbia  at  the  joint  expense  of  the 
United  States  and  the  District  of  Columbia.  The  estimated  cost  of 
this  portion  of  the  improvement  is  $61:1:,600.^ 

^In  response  to  a  joint  resolution  approved  April  11,  1898,  which  required  the 
Secretary  of  War  to  prepare  and  submit  to  the  Congress  forthwith  a  project  for  the 
improvement  of  the  Anacostia  River,  and  the  reclamation  of  its  flats  from  the  line  of 
the  District  of  Columbia  to  the  mouth  of  said  river,  and  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  the 
same,  and  to  report  on  the  area  and  ownership  of  the  land  to  be  reclaimed,  and  if 
any  portion  of  the  said  land  be  vested  in  private  persons  to  estimate  the  cost  of 
acquiring  the  same,  the  Acting  Secretary  of  War  submitted  a  report  on  the  14th  of 
December,  1898,  embodying  a  communication  from  Brig.  Gen.  John  M.  Wilson, 
Chief  .of  Engineers,  U.  S.  A.,  and  a  report  with  maps  by  Lieut.  Col.  Charles  J.  Allen, 
Corps  of  Engineers,  of  a  survey  of  Anacostia  River,  estimating  the  cost  of  the  reclama- 
tion of  the  Potomac  flats  from  the  mouth  of  the  Anacostia  to  the  Navy- Yard  Bridge, 
and  from  the  Navy-Yard  Bridge  to  Benning  Bridge,  at  $2,194,720,  with  a  statement 
that  $!400,000  would  be  judiciously  expended  annually  under  that  plan. 

While  this  matter  is  wholly  under  the  control  of  the  Federal  Government,  the 
Commissioners  deem  it  only  fair  to  the  people  of  the  District  to  state  that  they  regard 
this  proposed  improvement  as  one  of  the  highest  importance  to  the  best  interests  of 
the  national  capital. 

A  recent  statement  has  been  prepared  for  the  use  of  the  Commissioners,  showing 
the  number  of  cases  of  malarial  disease  reported  by  433  physicians  during  the  months 
of  July,  August,  and  September,  1900.  For  the  purpose  of  the  computation  an  esti- 
mate by  the  health  officer  in  December,  1898,  showing  a  population  of  287,462,  was 
used.  From  the  said  report  it  appears  that  in  the  northeast  section  of  the  city,  with 
a  population  of  11  per  cent  of  the  said  total,  there  were  found  21  per  cent  of  the  total 
number  of  malarial  cases;  in  the  southeast  section,  with  10  per  cent  of  the  total  popu- 
lation, 17  per  cent  of  the  total  number  of  malarial  cases  were  found,  and  east  of  the 
Anacostia  River,  with  4  per  cent  of  the  total  population,  the  number  of  malarial  cases 
amounted  to  14  per  cent  of  the  total. 

The  annual  report  of  Surgeon-General  Van  Reypen  states  that  in  1895  98  per  cent 


94  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Besides  the  park  considerations  and  opportunities  presented  by  the 
upper  stretches  of  the  Anacostia  River  comes  the  question  of  health. 
To-day  this  is  the  most  malarial  portion  of  the  District,  a  fact  which 
is  particular!}"  unfortunate  when  it  is  considered  that  the  Navy -Yard, 
the  Naval  Hospital,  the  Marine  Barracks,  the  Government  Asylum 
for  the  Insane,  the  Workhouse,  and  the  Jail  are  all  subject  to  the 
malarial  influences  of  those  flats. 

POTOMAC    RIVER   DRIVE. 

Probably  no  portion  of  the  District  of  Columbia  is  so  beautiful  as 
the  upper  stretch  of  the  Potomac  from  Georgetown  to  the  District 
line.  The  bed  of  the  river  is  extremely  rocky,  hig-h  hills  on  the  Vir- 
ginia side  come  to  the  water's  edge,  and  on  the  District  shore  broad 
terraces,  flanked  by  hills,  give  the  opportunity  for  improvement.  The 
water  supply  of  the  District,  taken  from  the  Great  Falls,  16  miles 
above  Washington,  is  carried  along  the  terraces  spoken  of,  underneath 
the  Conduit  road.  This  road  is  kept  in  excellent  condition  by  the 
Government,  and  is  a  great  pleasure  drive.  A  line  of  street  railroad 
extends  between  the  Conduit  road  and  the  river  to  Glen  Echo  and  Cabin 
John  Bridge,  respectively  7  and  8  miles  above  the  city.  These  are 
largely  patronized  pleasure  resorts. 

THE    SQUARES    SOUTH    OF   THE    AVENUE. 

There  is  a  strong  sentiment  in  the  city  of  Washington,  and  in  Con- 
gress also,  that  the  square  south  of  Pennsylvania  avenue,  between  that 
thoroughfare  and  the  Mall,  should  be  purchased  by  the  Government 
and  used  as  the  site  of  new  Federal  buildings.  The  extremely  shabby 
condition  of  the  avenue  near  the  Capitol  gives  force  to  this  suggestion, 
as  does  also  the  fact  that  the  portion  of  the  cit}"  along  Thirteenth  and 
Fourteenth  streets  south  of  the  avenue  is  occupied  largely  bv  houses 
used  for  immoral  purposes.  The  new  Post-Office  Building  was  con- 
structed south  of  the  avenue  with  a  view  of  cleaning  up,  in  part,  this 
portion  of  the  city,  and  it  is  proposed  to  take  the  square  between 
Thirteen-and-a-half  and  Fourteenth  streets  for  a  municipal  building. 
While  the  arguments  in  favor  of  such  purchase  are  readily  apparent, 

of  the  persons  employed  at  the  navy-yard  became  ill  with  malaria  at  various  times 
during  that  year. 

A  report  to  the  Commissioners  from  the  Superintendent  of  the  Government  Hos- 
pital for  the  Insane,  during  the  months  of  July,  August,  and  September,  1900,  shows 
as  follows:  Intermittent,  317;  remittent,  67;  irregular,  119,  making  a  total  of  503 
malarial  cases  in  that  institution  during  three  months. 

The  Commissioners  believe  that  no  stronger  argument  could  be  presented  showing 
the  urgent  necessity  for  an  immediate  beginning  of  this  important  work. — Report  of 
the  Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columbia  for  1900. 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  95 

there  are  some  general  adverse  considerations,  which  may  he  noted 
briefly. 

The  portion  of  the  city  south  of  the  Mall  must  of  necessity  be  given 
up  very  largely  to  business  purposes.  After  -i  o'clock  in  the  day  there 
would  be  comparatively  little  general  use  of  the  Mall  for  driving  or 
for  park  purposes.  The  whole  life  of  the  city  is  north  of  H  street  or 
east  of  the  Capitol.  Just  how  far  this  condition  of  afl'airs  can  be 
changed  by  the  improvement  of  the  Potomac  Park  is  a  question. 

TREATMENT   OF   RESERVATIONS   AND   PARK    SPACES. 

The  question  of  the  treatment  of  the  reservations  and  park  spaces 
within  the  citv  of  Washington  naturally  is  a  matter  of  serious  con- 
sideration. There  are  scattered  through  the  cit}"  squares  devoted  to 
park  purposes,  and  while  in  the  northwest  many  of  these  squares  are 
well  kept  and  attractive,  those  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  city  have 
sufl'ered  neglect.  During  the  past  two  years  an  efl'ort  has  been  made 
to  correct  this  condition,  and  a  number  of  reservations  that  have  been 
totally  neglected  have  been  reclaimed  for  other  proper  purposes.  Of 
these  one  over  the  K  street  tunnel  has  been  made  into  a  playground 
for  football  and  baseball  games.  This  is  the  only  playground  in  the 
District  of  Columbia,  and  the  question  of  setting  apart  other  spaces 
for  the  use  of  children  needs  consideration.  It  is  also  a  question  of 
whether  in  the  northeastern  portion  of  the  cit}"  squares  should  not  now 
be  reserved  for  park  purposes,  so  that  when  the  highways  come  to  be 
laid  out  and  property  advances  this  section  will  be  as  adequately  sup- 
plied with  parks  as  other  portions  of  the  District  alreadj^  are  supplied.^ 

HOWARD   UNIVERSITY    PARK. 

Reservation  No.  20,  south  of  Howard  Universit}^  and  north  of  Freed- 
men\s  Hospital,  contains  nearly  12  acres  and  is  covered  with  a  native 
forest  growth  of  oak  trees.  It  is  unimproved,  although  it  is  situated 
in  a  portion  of  the  city  where  the  need  of  park  space  is  most  needed.^ 

^  As  the  buildings  of  the  city  of  Washington  spread  over  the  District  of  Columbia 
and  the  city  itself  becomes  more  compact,  the  need  for  additional  parks  and  play- 
grounds becomes  more  apparent.  In  some  sections  of  the  city  there  is  no  provision 
of  this  kind.  Children  especially  suffer  from  having  no  playground  except  the 
street.  In  the  summer  time  it  is  particularly  hard  upon  those  who  can  not  leave  the 
city  for  any  length  of  time.  Women  with  infants  are  in  many  cases  obliged  to  go 
long  distances  to  get  to  a  park.  The  Commissioners,  therefore,  view  with  sympathy 
the  different  suggestions  that  have  been  made  in  recent  years  for  increasing  the  pub- 
lic grounds  in  the  District  of  Columbia.  (Report  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  District 
of  Columbia  for  1900.) 

See  also  Park  Improvement  Papers  No.  3. 

'■^For  plan  of  proposed  improvement  see  report  of  officer  in  charge  of  public 
buildings  and  grounds  for  1894. 


96  PAKK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTKICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

GARFIELD   PARK. 

Garfield  Park,  situated  between  South  Capitol  and  Third  streets  and 
E  and  H  streets  southeast,  contains  about  24  acres.  This  area  will  be 
somewhat  reduced  b}^  the  change  in  the  location  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  tracks,  but  these  changes  are  of  such  a  nature  as  to  make 
more  available  the  remaining  park  space.  The  park  is  now  under 
improvement  and,  in  connection  with  other  large  and  unimproved  or 
slightly  improved  reservations  in  that  part  of  the  city,  is  capable  of 
affording  greatl}^  increased  park  facilities  in  a  region  of  the  cit}"  that 
has  great  need  of  such  spaces. 

MOUNT   VERNON    BOULEVARD. 

Bv  act  of  Februar}"  23,  1889,  Congress  authorized  the  surveys  for 
a  national  road  from  a  point  in  Alexandria  Count}",  Va. ,  at  or  near 
the  Virginia  end  of  the  Aqueduct  Bridge  and  thence  through  the 
counties  of  Alexandria  and  Fairfax  to  Mount  Vernon;  but  provided 
that  nothing  in  the  act  shall  be  construed  to  bind  the  Government  of 
the  United  States  to  pa}^  for  any  portion  of  the  right  of  wa}'  for  the 
avenue  contemplated  by  the  act.  A  voluminous  report  was  made  to 
Congress,  but  nothing  further  has  been  done  in  the  matter.^ 

GRANT   MEMORIAL. 

By  an  act  approved  February  23,  1901.  the  president  of  the  Societj" 
of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  the  chairman  of  the  Joint  Committee 
on  the  Library,  and  the  Secretary  of  War  are  created  a  commission 
to  select  and  secure  plans  and  designs  for  a  statue  or  memorial  to 
Gen.  Ul^'sses  S.  Grant,  the  statue  to  cost  not  to  exceed  $250, 000.  The 
commission  is  authorized  to  select  anv  unoccupied  square  or  reserva- 
tion belonging  to  the  Government  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  except 
the  grounds  of  the  Capitol  and  the  Library  of  Congress,  on  which  to 
erect  such  statue.  Further,  the  commission  is  authorized  to  advertise 
for  plans,  specifications,  and  models  for  the  base,  pedestal,  and  statue, 
and  to  pay  competing  artists  for  the  same,  and  for  expenses  for  the 
same,  to  the  extent  of  $10,000.  The  commission  is  required  to  report 
its  action  to  Congress.  It  is  understood  that  the  commission  have  in 
mind  a  site  near  the  present  White  House  stables. 

The  question  is  whether  b}"  cooperation  this  Grant  memorial  may 
not  be  brought  into  such  a  scheme  for  the  development  of  the  parks 
as  will  make  it  most  effective. 

^Executive  Document  No.  106,  Fifty-first  Congress,  first  session. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  97 

Washinc/ton  parks. 

Acres. 

Executive  INIansion  grounds 18. 5 

President's  Park 63.  7 

Monument  groimds 78.  5 

Smithsonian  grounds 58.  02 

Henry  and  Seaton  jiarks 32 

Garfield  Park 23. 98 

Howard  University  Park 12 

Judiciary  Square 19 

Mount  Vernon  Square 2 

Franklin  Square 4 

Lafayette  Square 6 

McPherson  Square 1 

Farragut  Square - 1 

Rawlins  Square 1 

Lincoln  Park 6 

Stanton  Park 3 

Folger  Park 1 

Marion  Park 1 

Washington  Circle 1 

Dupont  Circle 2 

Iowa  Circle 2 

Potomac  Park 739.  -42 

Zoological  Park 170 

Rock  Creek  Park 1 ,  605. 9 

Soldiers'  Home  grounds :. . .  502 

Approximate  total 3,  355.  02 

Very  respectfully,  yours, 

Chakles  Moore. 
p  1—03 7 


SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS  NO.  7. 


NOTES  ON  THE  ESTABLISHMENT  OF  A  NATIONAL  PARK  IN 
THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA  AND  THE  ACQUIREMENT  AND 
IMPROVEMENT  OF  THE  VALLEY  OF  ROCK  CREEK  FOR  PARK 


PURPOSES. 


By  WILLIAM  V.  COX. 


April  19,  1901. — Printed  for  the  use  of  the  committee. 


The  first  mention  in  legislative  records  that  I  And  of  any  effort  being 
made  to  acquire  a  national  park  in  the  District  of  Columbia  was  after 
the  close  of  the  war,  in  the  Thirty-ninth  Congress,  when  on  June  21, 
1866,  the  Hon.  Benjamin  Wade,  of  Ohio,  offered  a  resolution  instruct- 
ing the  Senate  Committee  on  Public  Buildings  and  Grounds  to  inquire 
into  "the  expediency  of  the  United  States  acquiring  the  title  to  the 
land  between  Maryland  avenue  and  Pennsylvania  avenue,  east  of  the 
Capitol,  to  Nineteenth  street,  for  the  purpose  of  a  national  park  in 
which  to  erect  a  new  Presidential  mansion,  and  report  by  bill  or 
otherwise. " 

On  June  25, 1866,  Mr.  Luke  P.  Poland  submitted  the  following  res- 
olution, which  was  considered  and  by  unanimous  consent  agreed  to: 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  Public  Buildings  and  Grounds  be  directed  to 
inquire  whether  a  tract  of  land  of  not  less  than  350  acres  adjoining  or  very  near 
the  city  can  be  obtained  for  a  reasonable  price  for  a  park  and  site  for  a  Presiden- 
tial Mansion,  which  shall  combine  convenience  of  access,  healthfulness,  good 
water,  and  capability  of  adornment.  (Congressional  Globe,  Thirty -ninth  Con- 
gress, first  session,  Part  IV,  p.  3374.) 

Five  days  later,  on  June  30,  Senator  Howe  offered  a  similar  resolu- 
tion, the  quantity  of  land  not  to  be  less  than  100  acres. 

On  July  18,  1866,  the  Hon.  Thomas  A.  Hendricks,  a  member  of  the 
Committee  on  Public  Buildings  and  Grounds  in  the  Senate,  to  which 
these  resolutions  had  been  referred,  made  a  report,  and  that  commit- 
tee was  empowered  to  employ  a  practical  landscape  gardener  or  topo- 
graphical engineer  to  examine  different  tracts  of  land.  (Journal  of 
the  Senate,  first  session  Thirty-ninth  Congress.) 

99 


100  PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Maj.  N.  Michler,  of  the  Corps  of  Engineers,  was  selected  for  this 
work,  and  spent  much  time  examining  the  various  sites  offered  the 
committee. 

On  January  29,  1867,  he  made  a  report,  giving  maps  of  the  Rock 
Creek  region,  proposing  two  plans,  one  for  a  park  of  2,540  acres,  the 
other  for  one  of  1,800  acres. 

This  report,  as  picturesque  as  the  Rock  Creek  Valley  of  which  it 
treats,  is  reproduced  in  Appendix  A. 

A  bill  (S.  549)  was  thereupon  formulated  by  the  Committee  on  Pub- 
lic Buildings  and  Grounds,  within  the  lines  projected  by  Major  Mich- 
ler, to  include  2,700  acres,  and  General  Meigs,  General  Wright,  and 
Major  Michler  were  named  as  a  committee  to  negotiate  with  the 
owners  of  the  land  and  report  to  Congress.     (Appendix  B.) 

The  Hon.  B.  Gratz  Brown,  who  had  introduced  the  bill,  imbibing 
the  spirit  of  Rock  Creek  surroundings,  most  eloquently  said: 

The  character  of  the  grouud  around  and  adjacent  to  that  stream  is  exactly 
suited  to  the  purposes  we  desire.  It  has  running  water,  it  has  rugged  hills,  it  has 
picturesque  scenery,  it  has  abundance  of  varied  forest  timber,  it  has  a  native 
undergrowth  blushing  with  beauty;  it  has  the  tangled  vine  and  the  clustering  wild 
flower,  and  the  quiet  mosses  gray  with  age.  and,  indeed,  a  thousand  imprints  of 
native  adornment  that  no  hand  of  art  could  equal  in  its  most  imitative  mood. 
Moreover,  with  so  much  of  attractiveness  in  its  present  uncultured  state,  it  has 
likewise  every  capacity  for  adornment  and  development,  and  can  be  made,  with 
less  expense  than  almost  any  spot  of  ecjual  area  I  have  ever  seen  within  the  reach 
of  a  great  city,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  resorts  in  the  world.  The  amount  of 
ground  which  was  surveyed  embraced  2,700  acres.  It  will  not  be  necessary,  how- 
ever, to  take  in  all  of  that  ground  in  orderto  secure  what  is  desired  for  the  purposes 
of  a  park  in  the  shape  of  drives,  alcoves,  recesses,  and  places  capable  of  adorn- 
ment. Fortunately  the  amount  to  be  embraced  is  almost  entirely  optional,  as  the 
situation  is  such  that  large  omissions  may  be  made  without  abating  much  the 
extent  of  the  drives  or  the  beautiful  diversity  of  views. 

*  i]:  ;•:  :;■:  *  *  * 

There  is  no  expenditure  that  can  be  made  which  shall  add  to  the  grandeur  or 
adornment  of  the  public  buildings  that  fill  so  largely  the  eye  of  admiration  of  the 
world,  or  of  the  vast  libraries  that  are  accumulating  so  rapidly  the  treasures  of 
all  languages  within  our  reach,  or  of  the  conservatories  and  gardens  and  cabinets 
that  minister  to  your  tastes,  that  will  not  freely  be  sanctioned  by  the  people,  for 
such  in  itself  is  the  establishment  of  a  nation's  university,  whither  all  may  come 
to  wonder  and  to  learn,  and  in  which  all  may  feel  a  rightful  patriotic  pride.  Only 
let  it  be  worthy.  Let  your  doing  be  on  a  scale  commensurate  with  the  pride  to 
which  you  minister  and  the  people  you  are  sent  to  represent.  And  it  is  in  the  same 
spirit  that  I  would  have  you.  Senators,  inaugurate  a  public  park  that  shall  have  no 
rival  anywhere  for  beauty  or  extent  or  ornamentation,  as  it  will  have  none  for  the 
illustrious  characters  gathered  from  a  whole  continent  in  the  after  time  to  wisely 
rule  our  Republic  from  this  center  of  its  power. 

To  the  disappointment  of  many  the  bill  failed.  Sixteen  years  elapsed 
before  record  is  found  of  any  further  serious  effort  being  made  to 
acquire  the  beautiful  Rock  Creek  Valley.  In  1880,  however,  Captain 
Hoxie,  in  a  report,  suggested  the  desirability  of  turning  the  Rock 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  101 

Creek  Valley  into  a  park  with  ornamental  lake  and  reservoir  con- 
nected with  a  system  of  dams. 

On  November  17,  1883,  Mr.  W.  W.  Corcoran,  Justice  William 
Strong,  and  Mr.  Josiah  Dent  joined  in  a  letter  to  the  Commissioners 
of  the  District  of  Columbia,  in  which  they  say: 

Washington  is  now  and  is  ever  to  be  a  city  of  residences.  It  is  already  inviting 
to  the  best  classes  of  citizens  in  all  parts  of  the  conntry,  who  are  flocking  hither 
in  considerable  numbers  to  make  this  their  permanent  home.  Everything  that 
adds  to  the  city's  attractions,  that  renders  life  here  more  agreeable,  seems  to  us 
to  be  worthy  of  attention  and  to  be  secured,  if  practicable;  that  a  large  park, 
including  Rock  Creek  and  its  adjacent  hills  and  woods,  would  be  a  great  addi- 
tional attraction,  affording,  as  it  would,  chruming  drives  and  walks  with  con- 
stantly varying  and  beautiful  scenery,  no  one  can  doubt.  The  experience  of  other 
cities  has  shown  this.  What  has  not  Central  Park  done  for  New  York,  Fair- 
mount  Park  for  Philadelphia,  and  Druid  Hill  for  Baltimore?  They  have  greatly 
increased  the  value  of  property  in  those  cities  and  stimulated  the  influx  of  wealth 
and  population.  We  believe  that  the  procurement  of  the  proposed  Rock  Creek 
Park  would  have  a  like  beneficial  influence  upon  the  future  of  our  city,  greater 
even  in  degree  when  it  be  considered  that  this  is  to  be  a  city  of  homes. 

Nothing  was  done,  however,  in  the  way  of  securing  legislation. 

In  January,  1886,  Judge  Ord  offered  to  donate  25  acres  of  land  in 
Rock  Creek  Valley  for  a  zoological  i)ark  and  public  baths,  but  Con- 
gress favored  neither. 

A  bill  passed  the  Senate.  July  22, 1886,  authorizing  the  Commission- 
ers of  the  District  of  Columbia  to  plat  for  condemnation  a  tract  of 
land  not  exceeding  1,000  feet  in  width  on  both  sides  of  Rock  Creek, 
beginning  at  the  intersection  of  Massachusetts  avenue  extended  and 
the  creek  to  the  boundary  line  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  The  bill 
required  the  Commissioners  to  report  to  Congress  the  result  of  their 
negotiation  and  condemnation  proceedings.  The  Commissioners  made 
a  report  to  Congress  on  June  24,  1886,  and  urged  the  necessity  of  tak- 
ing prompt  action  toward  securing  at  least  a  narrow  strip  of  ground 
"on  either  side  of  the  creek.  They  reported  that  thej' found  the  quan- 
tity of  land  from  Lyons's  Mill  to  the  District  line  to  be  919  acres. 
Important  modifications  were  suggested  to  the  plan  in  the  event  that 
Congress  desired  to  proceed  further  in  the  matter.  Special  attention 
was  called  to  the  topography  of  the  region,  that  no  uniform  width 
need  be  adhered  to  and  only  such  acreage  would  be  required  as  was 
necessary  to  control  the  crest  and  slopes  and  provide  for  construction 
of  driveways.     (Appendix  C.) 

On  January  31, 1887,  Mr.  Rowell,  of  the  House  District  Committee, 
jnade  a  report  on  the  measure  to  Congress  in  whicli  he  said : 

The  rapidly  increasing  population  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  as  well  as  the 
constantly  increasing  value  of  real  estate,  admonishes  us  that  if  this  tract  of 
country  is  to  be  reserved  for  park  purposes  the  quicker  it  is  done  the  better.  That 
this  section  of  the  District,  now  largely  in  a  primitive  condition,  ought  to  be 
reserved  for  the  use  of  the  public  in  the  interest  of  health  and  of  making  the 
national  capital  as  attractive  as  possible  your  committee  do  not  doubt. 


102  PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

The  bill  failed  to  become  a  law. 

Mr.  Ingalls,  who  was  always  a  friend  of  the  District,  introduced 
the  same  bill  in  the  Senate  on  December  13,  1887,  and  Mr.  Rowell,  on 
January  9,  1888,  introduced  it  in  the  House. 

On  April  23,  1888,  Senator  Beck  introduced  a  bill  to  establish  under 
the  Regents,  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  a  zoological  park.  On 
December  21,  1888,  Senator  Morrill  introduced  a  similar  bill,  except 
that  it  prescribed  that  the  location  of  the  j)ark  be  limited  to  the  region 
between  Woodley  road  and  Klingle  road.  The  possibility  of  the  crea- 
tion of  a  public  park  on  Rock  Creek  was  taken  into  consideration, 
there  being  a  provision  for  the  cooperation  of  the  Regents  of  the 
Smithsonian  Institution  and  the  commissioners  of  the  public  park  in 
the  laying  out  of  roads,  etc. 

There  was  no  antagonism  between  the  two  park  projects  and  the 
sentiment  for  the  establishment  of  the  Rock  Creek  Park  liastened  the 
legislation  for  the  establishment  of  the  Zoological  Park,  for  when  it 
was  proposed  to  attach  the  Rock  Creek  Park  bill  as  an  amendment 
the  Zoological  Park,  with  a  smaller  appropriation,  was  accepted  as  a 
compromise  and  became  a  law.     (Appendix  D.) 

Mr.  S.  P.  Langley,  Secretarj^of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  deserves 
great  praise  for  the  very  timely  and  imjDortant  part  he  took  in  securing 
the  establishment  of  the  Zoological  Park,  the  beginning  of  the  great 
Rock  Creek  Park  system. 

The  establishment  of  the  Zoological  Park  was  most  opportune,  for 
attention  having  been  so  frequently  called  to  the  beauty  of  the  region 
by  the  agitation  of  the  park  question  in  Congress  and  b}^  the  press 
and  by  public-spirited  citizens  generally,  real-estate  syndicates  began 
to  invade  this  region  and  suggested  subdivisions  were  seriously 
threatening  the  destruction  of  the  land  for  park  purposes.  Tlie  region 
was  also  threatened  by  proposed  invasion  of  railroads  that  were  said 
to  be  coming  down  the  beautiful  valley  to  Oeorgetown,  and  the  out- 
look for  saving  the  valley  at  one  time  was  most  discouraging. 

On  Thanksgiving  morning  of  1888  Mr.  Charles  C.  Glover,  the  well- 
known  banker,  invited  Capt.  T.  W.  Symons,  Mr.  Calderon  Carlisle,  and 
Mr.  J.  M.  Johnson  to  ride  with  him  through  the  Rock  Creek  Valley. 
As  a  result  of  that  drive  these  gentlemen  pledged  each  other  to  work 
from  that  time  on  for  the  establishment  of  a  great  national  park  in 
Rock  Creek  Valley.  Mr.  Johnson  and  Mr.  Carlisle  framed  a  bill  and 
a  few  evenings  later  Mr.  Glover  invited  these  gentlemen  and  others 
to  meet  at  his  residence.  The  project  was  talked  over  at  length,  the 
bill  was  read,  and  the  plan  as  outlined  by  Mr.  Glover  was  approved. 
Mr.  Crosby  S.  Noyes,  that  public-spirited  citizen,  ever  foremost  in 
championing  every  measure  for  the  improvement  or  the  beautifying 
of  Washington,  presided  over  this  historic  meeting.  Among  those 
present  were  Washington  McLean,  Crosby  S.  Noyes,  S.  H.  Kauffmann, 
Gen.  H.  V.  Boynton,  Henry  Wise  Garnett,  A.  T.  Britton,  George  E. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  103 

Lemon,  Charles  Nordhoff,  B.  H.  Warner,  Stilson  Hutchins,  D.  A. 
Richardson,  M.  M.  Parker,  Lewis  J.  Davis,  Charles  J.  Bell,  F.  P.  B. 
Sands,  William  Corcoran  Hill,  Duncan  S.  Walker,  O.  C.  Green,  Hal- 
lett  Kilbourn,  James  A.  Bates,  and  E.  W.  Fox. 

When  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting  were  known,  all  public- 
spirited  citizens  realized  that  the  time  for  decided  action  had  come. 
The  work  as  maj)ped  out  by  the  committee  under  Mr.  Glover  was 
actively  pushed  forward  in  every  direction,  for  a  master  hand  was  at  the 
helm.  Advocates  for  the  Rock  Creek  Park  measure  were  now  found 
on  every  side,  and  the  progress  from  this  time  was  steadily  forward. 
On  January  11,  1889,  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  was  held  at  the  Atlantic 
Building,  at  which  a  resolution  was  adopted  indorsing  the  plan  of 
securing  the  park.  A  strong  executive  committee,  composed  of  C.  C. 
Glover,  chairman;  A.  T.  Britton,  G.  E.  Lemon,  C.  S.  Noyes,  F.  A. 
Richardson,  and  B.  H.  Warner,  was  appointed.  Among  those  present 
at  this  meeting  were  Judge  William  Strong,  Dr.  J.  C.  Welling,  Beriah 
Wilkins,  Frank  Hatton,  W.  T.  Hornaday,  Judge  Hillyer,  C.  S.  Noyes, 
William  H.  Clagett,  Col.  W.  F.  Switzler,  John  T.  Given,  Dr.  A.  P. 
Fardon,  C.  C.  Glover,  James  M.  Johnson,  Theodore  W.  Noyes,  S.  W. 
Woodward,  John  H.  Crane,  George  Truesdell,  Joseph  Paul,  Col.  J. 
M.  Wilson,  H.  J.  Dent,  John  Joy  Edson,  W.  C.  Dodge,  M.  I.  Weller, 
Hallett  Kilbourn,  Noble  D.  Larner,  Dr.  Loring,  Dr.  S.  P.  Langley,  Dr. 
Robert  Reyburn,  R.  Ross  Perry,  Reginald  Fendall,  William  R.  Smith, 
B.  H.  Warner,  L.  D.  Wine,  B.  F.  Gilbert,  George  E.  Lemon,  A.  B. 
Brown,  N.  W.  Burchell,  J.  L.  Barbour,  C.  B.  Church,  W.  J.  Stephen- 
son, J.  Q.  Thompson,  S.  E.  N.  Wilson,  Thomas  Sommerville,  E.  D. 
Tracey,  James  E.  Fitch,  M.  F.  Morris,  and  W.  S.  Thompson. 

The  bill  drawn  up  and  approved  by  the  citizens'  committee  was 
introduced  in  the  House  by  Mr.  Hemphill  January  14, 1889.  This  bill 
provided  for  the  purchase  of  a  tract  of  land  not  exceeding  2,500  acres, 
following  the  course  of  the  creek,  and  of  a  width  not  less  at  any  point 
than  400  feet.  The  Chief  of  Engineers,  the  Secretary  of  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution,  and  the  Engineer  Commissioner  of  the  District 
were  named  as  a  commission  to  locate  and  purchase  the  i3ark,  with 
the  assistance  of  the  Engineer  Commissioner  as  executive  officer  of 
the  commission.  One-half  of  the  cost  of  the  park,  according  to  the 
bill,  was  to  be  charged  to  the  District. 

The  tenor  of  the  debates  in  the  House  had  convinced  those  who 
were  urging  the  park  project  that  it  would  be  quite  impossible  to  get 
any  measure  through  that  did  not  propose  to  make  the  District  pay 
one-half  of  the  cost.  While  this  was  considered  unjust,  the  citizens' 
committee  deemed  it  wisest  to  secure  the  park  on  the  best  terms  pos- 
sible and  leave  it  to  Congress  in  the  future  to  make  amends  for  the 
wrong  done  the  people  of  the  District. 

The  executive  committee  of  citizens  appeared  before  the  House 
District  Committee  on  January  18,  and  urged  the  passage  of  the 


104  PAKE    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Hemphill  bill.  There  were  present  Messrs.  C.  S.  Noyes,  A.  T.  Brit- 
ton,  C.  C.  Glover,  B.  H.  Warner,  George  E.  Lemon,  and  F.  A.  Rich- 
ardson, composing  the  entire  executive  committee;  R.  Ross  Per^y, 
James  M,  Johnston,  John  Joy  Edson,  E.  D.  Tracey,  Capt.  T.  W. 
Symons,  Joseph  Paul,  W.  A.  Phillips,  jr.,  P.  M.  Dubant,  J.  J.  Dar- 
lington, and  others.  Mr.  Warner  acted  as  spokesman,  and  in  urging 
the  passage  of  the  bill  presented  most  interesting  data  and  convinc- 
ing arguments  in  support  of  the  project.  In  concluding  he  stated 
that  those  once  opposed  to  the  measure  were  now  willing  to  have  it 
passed,  and  that  all  sections  and  interests  were  united  in  its  favor. 

An  evidence  of  the  renewed  interest  in  the  measure  under  the  stim- 
ulus of  the  energetic  action  of  the  citizens'  committee  was  given  also 
in  the  action  of  a  meeting  of  citizens  of  Georgetown,  held  January  22, 
1889,  asking  that  the  southern  limits  of  the  proposed  park  be  extended 
to  Lyons's  Mills,  if  not  to  the  P  street  bridge.  On  January  24  a  com- 
mittee of  citizens  called  on  the  District  Commissioners  in  the  interest 
of  the  bill,  and  one  result  was  a  proj)Osed  amendment  that  the  District 
should  refund  half  the  cost  of  the  park  to  the  United  States  Treasury 
in  annual  installments  of  not  less  than  $100,000. 

The  first  satisfactory  showing  of  the  work  being  done  by  the  friends 
of  the  park  was  in  the  thoughtful  and  forcible  report  made  in  the 
House  January  26,  by  Mr.  Hemphill,  from  the  District  Committee, 
recommending  the  passage  of  the  measure  introduced  by  him  on  the 
14th.  The  committee  recommended  an  appropriation  of  11,500,000  for 
the  purchase  of  the  park. 

Mr,  HemiDhill's  report  was  more  practical  than  some  that  had  pre- 
viously been  submitted.     (See  Appendix  E.) 

At  this  time  the  citizens'  committee,  the  Post,  Republican,  Star,  and 
other  newspapers  were  most  actively  engaged  in  arousing  public  inter- 
est. Hearings  were  had  at  the  Capitol,  Congressmen  were  seen  at 
their  homes,  literature  was  prepared  and  circulated  among  them  and 
the  newspapers,  and  the  campaign  was  crowded  systematically  in 
every  direction. 

On  the  15th  of  February  the  Senate  District  Committee  approved 
and  substituted  the  Hemphill  bill  for  the  one  it  had  reported,  which 
made  no  appropriation,  but  required  the  commission  to  report  its 
work  to  Congress.  An  effort  was  made  by  Mr.  Hemphill,  February 
28,  1889,  to  get  the  measure  through  before  the  Fiftieth  Congress 
adjourned  by  attaching  it  as  an  amendment  to  the  Zoological  Park  bill 
which  was  under  consideration;  but  once  more  the  bill  failed. 

Nothing  daunted,  promptly  at  the  beginning  of  the  Fifty-first  Con- 
gress the  park  bills  were  reintroduced.  December  4,  1889,  both  Mr. 
Ingalls  and  Mr.  Sherman  offered  bills  in  the  Senate.  Mr.  Ingalls's  bill 
limited  the  width  of  tlie  park  to  1,000  feet,  made  it  begin  at  Massa- 
chusetts avenue  and  extend  along  the  creek  to  the  District  line.  The 
Commissioners  of  the  District  were  charged  with  negotiating  for  or 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  105 

condemning  the  property,  and  required  to  report  their  action  to  Con- 
gress. (See  also  Report  Commissioners  District  of  Columbia,  1889, 
pp.  265-273.) 

Mr.  Sherman's  bill  was  similar  to  Mr.  Hemphill's,  except  that  it 
named  the  Klingie  road  bridge  as  the  starting  point,  and  instead  of 
making  a  direct  appropriation,  provided  for  the  issue  of  81,200,000  in 
District  bonds  to  pay  for  the  park,  provision  being  made  that  one-half 
the  sum  should  be  refunded  by  the  United  States  to  the  District. 

This  bill  was  passed  by  the  Senate  January  28,  1890.  When  the 
bill  went  to  the  House  District  Committee  it  was  there  modified.  The 
name  of  the  park  was  changed  to  Columbus  Memorial  Park,  in  defer- 
ence to  the  Columbus  sentiment  that  then  was  so  prevalent  at  the 
Capitol.  The  limitation  as  to  the  width  south  of  the  Broad  Branch 
and  Blagden  Mill  roads,  not  to  exceed  500  feet  on  either  side  of  the 
creek,  was  inserted.  The  whole  tract  to  be  acquired  was  limited  to 
2,000  acres.  A  direct  appropriation  of  $1,200,000  was  provided,  one- 
half  to  be  charged  to  the  District,  and  half  the  annual  charge  of  main- 
tenance was  to  be  paid  by  the  District.  (Report  870,  Fifty-first 
Congress,  first  session,  on  S.  4.) 

Chairman  Grout  of  the  District  Committee,  in  reporting  the  bill 
favorabl}^,  reiterated  the  statements  made  in  Mr.  Hemphill's  report  to 
the  Fiftieth  Congress,  and  added  the  following: 

Your  committee  have  given  this  bill  careful  consideration,  and  in  view  of  the 
public  expectation  and  desire  concerning  this  park,  and  in  the  belief  of  j-our  com- 
mittee that  it  will  some  time  be  established,  and  the  certainty  that  it  never  can  be 
done  at  less  cost  than  now,  and  in  view  of  the  fact,  also,  that  while  creating  it  we 
shall  be  contributing  to  the  comfort  and  health  and  happiness  of  the  present  and 
coming  generations,  we  can  at  the  same  time,  by  giving  it  the  name  of  that  great 
benefactor  of  the  race,  whose  discoveries  have  grown  into  a  solid  hemisphere  of 
republics,  show  our  appreciation  of  the  grandeur  of  his  genius  and  the  far-reaching 
results  of  his  work,  and  leave  this  testimonial  as  a  heritage  to  future  ages,  we  rec- 
ommend the  passage  of  the  bill. 

On  March  24  the  bill  came  up  in  the  House  and  was  warmly  debated. 
It  was  attacked  by  General  Spinola,  who  conceived  the  notion  that 
there  was  a  great  real-estate  speculation  in  it.  Strong  speeches  in 
favor  of  the  bill  were  made  by  Messrs.  Grout,  Cannon,  Atkinson, 
Moore,  Hooker,  Heard,  and  Hemphill,  while  Messrs.  Kerr,  Payson, 
and  Blount  opposed  it.  The  proposed  name  of  the  park  was  changed 
from  "Columbus  Memorial"  to  "Columbus."  Before  the  considera- 
tion of  the  bill  was  completed  it  went  over.  April  28  it  came  up  again 
in  Committee  of  the  Whole.  An  amendment  by  Mr.  Payson  to  assess 
the  benefits  to  adjacent  lands  was  agreed  to.  The  bill  was  favora- 
bly reported  to  the  House  the  same  daj^  and  defeated — ayes,  78; 
noes,  88. 

Mr,  Hemphill,  who  had  voted  in^  the  negative  for  the  purpose, 
immediately  moved  a  reconsideration.  The  friends  of  the  bill  were 
not  discouraged  by  the  temporary  defeat.     An  active  and  careful  can- 


106  PAKK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

vass  made  of  the  members  absent  or  not  voting  led  them  to  believe 
that  the  result  might  have  been  different  in  a  fuller  vote.  On  May 
26  the  bill  came  up  again,  on  the  motion  to  reconsider,  and  the  excel- 
lent work  done  meanwhile  by  the  citizens'  committee  was  shown  when 
the  bill  was  passed  by  a  vote  of  107  to  83. 

The  bill  then  went  to  conference  committee,  where  it  underwent 
further  changes.  The  conference  committee  dropj)ed  the  name  of 
Columbus  and  restored  the  name  of  Rock  Creek.  The  House  amend- 
ment providing  for  assessing  benefits  to  adjacent  property  was 
retained.  The  amount  of  11,200,000  was  a]3propriated,  and  it  was 
provided  that  the  commission  should  be  composed  of  the  Chief  of 
Engineers,  the  Engineer  Commissioner  of  the  District,  and  three  citi- 
zens to  be  nominated  by  the  President  and  confirmed  by  the  Senate. 

Mr.  Hemphill  secured  the  consideration  of  the  conference  report  by 
the  House  September  25,  and  the  report  was  agreed  to — ayes,  123; 
noes,  65.  On  the  following  day  it  was  agreed  to  by  the  Senate.  The 
next  day  it  reached  the  Pi-esident  and  became  a  law,  having  received 
his  signature  Saturday,  September  27.     (AiDpendix  F.) 

In  speaking  of  the  acquirement  of  the  park  a  Washington  paper  on 
October  4,  1890,  said: 

Rock  Creek  Park  is  no  longer  a  dream.  For  many  years  it  existed  only  as  a 
vision  of  rare  loveliness  in  the  minds  of  a  few  men.  At  the  gates  of  the  city 
nature  stood  offering  a  park  endowed  with  a  wealth  of  beauty  that  limitless 
appropriations  by  Congress  would  not  have  called  into  being.  Still  those  who 
recognized  this  invitation  of  nature  found  it  weary  work  to  impress  a  full  sense  of 
the  glorious  opportunity  upon  an  unpoetical  Congress. 

From  year  to  year,  from  1866  until  1888,  the  project  was  brought  before  Con- 
gress, but  its  friends  became  discouraged  by  repeated  failures.  There  were  among 
Congressmen  a  few  who  early  appi'eciated  the  great  desirability  of  reserving  and 
dedicating  to  the  perpetual  use  of  the  people  this  stretch  of  creek  and  valley,  and 
such  men  never  failed  to  speak  and  vote  for  the  measure  that  came  before  the 
National  Legislature  having  such  an  object  in  view.  But  their  numbers  were  so 
small  that  after  years  of  effort  little  hope  was  entertained  that  the  project  would 
ever  be  carried  out.  It  was  one  of  those  bills  for  the  general  good  which  every 
citizen  recognized  as  a  desirable  thing,  but,  which  each,  having  no  stronger  per- 
sonal interest  than  his  neighbor,  left  to  depend  entirely  upon  its  general  goodness 
for  making  its  way  in  Congress. 

Gen.  Thomas  L.  Casey,  Chief  of  Engineers,  Col.  H.  M.  Robert,  the 
Engineer  Commissioner  of  the  District,  Gen.  H.  V.  Boj^nton,  Dr.  S.  P. 
Langley,  and  Mr.  R.  Ross  Perry  comj)osed  the  commission  to  enter 
upon  the  work  of  selecting  and  platting  the  park.  On  the  retirement 
of  Colonel  Robert  his  place  was  filled  by  Captain  Rossell,  who  had 
been  acting  as  executive  officer  of  the  board. 

The  iDark  commission  organized  promf)tly  and  early  in  October  had 
thoroughly  explored  the  Rock  Creek  region  and  within  a  month  had 
decided  on  the  provisional  boundaries  of  the  park.  The  final  map 
was  filed  by  the  commission  on  March  3,  1891,  and  the  report  of  its 
findings  as  to  value. 


PAKK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OP    COLUMBIA.  107 

The  getting  possession  of  the  land  for  park  purposes  was  vigorously 
contested  by  man}^  of  the  conservative  owners.  On  April  17  an  offer 
was  sent  to  each  owner.  Only  a  few  acceptances,  aggregating  about 
300  acres,  were  received. 

Hearings  were  then  granted  and  all  kinds  of  procedures  were 
resorted  to  by  those  not  accepting  the  terms  of  the  commissioners, 
who  in  certain  instances  were  forced  to  invoke  the  aid  of  the  courts 
to  protect  the  despoiling  of  the  prospective  park  property  by  the 
felling  of  trees,  etc. ,  by  the  thriftj^  owners,  so  soon  to  part  with  their 
holdings  under  the  law,  and  petitions,  in  certain  instances,  were  filed 
with  the  courts  for  orders  restraining  the  commissioners  from  inter- 
fering with  private  property  rights. 

In  May  the  commission  petitioned  the  courts  for  a  condemnation 
commission  as  provided  for  in  the  act.  The  property  owners  in  June 
petitioned  to  have  the  request  of  the  commissioners  for  appraisement 
disallowed.  They  pleaded  the  unconstitutionality  of  the  act;  they 
pleaded  almost  everything  known  to  the  statute  or  common  law,  but  in 
vain,  for  in  July  the  court  in  general  term  denied  the  petition  of  the 
owners,  and  James  L.  Norris,  G.  J.  Seufferle,  and  Norval  W.  Burchell 
were  appointed  appraisers.     (Appendix  G. ) 

The  long  and  tedious  work  of  hearing  testimony  as  to  values  was 
then  begun.  In  August  the  owners  j)etitioned  the  Supreme  Court  for 
a  writ  of  error,  which  was  refused.  It  was  not  until  October  that  the 
hearings  were  finished,  and  then  the  arguments  began. 

The  question  of  mineral  wealth  was  brought  forward,  but  the  court 
in  general  term  decided  that  the  minerals  were  the  property  of  the 
Government.  Question  after  question  was  brought  forward  by  the 
numerous  lawyers;  objection  after  objection  was  brushed  aside  by 
the  courts. 

On  December  19  the  board  of  appraisers  made  its  report,  awarding 
in  the  aggregate  !i>l,105,957  to  the  owners  of  j)roperty  within  the  limits 
of  the  i3roposed  park.  This  amount,  together  with  $240,000  j)aid  to 
property  owners  who  had  accepted  the  prices  offered  by  the  commis- 
sion, exceeded  the  api^ropriation  of  11,200,000  made  for  the  park. 

To  be  more  specific,  a  survey  was  made  during  the  winter  of  1890 
and  1891  under  the  terms  of  the  act.  This  survey  mapped  out  for 
park  purposes  1,957  acres  of  land  situated  as  follows: 

Beginning  at  the  Klingle  Ford  road,  a  strip  of  land  follows  both 
sides  of  the  creek  and  1,200  feet  wide  to  the  Broad  Branch  and  Blag- 
den  Mill  roads.  Above  these  points  it  was  bounded  on  the  east  by 
Sixteenth  street  extended  and  Blagden  Mill  road;  on  the  north  by  the 
District  line,  and  on  the  west  by  the  Daniels,  Military,  and  Broad 
Branch  roads.  This  map,  representing  1,957  acres,  was  approved  by 
the  President  and  filed  among  the  land  records  of  the  District  of 
Columbia  on  April  U,  1891. 

The  amount  appropriated  for  the  purchase  of  the  park  being  insuf- 


108  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

ficient  under  the  appraisement,  the  park  boundaries  were  reduced,  in 
order  to  fall  within  the  limit  of  available  funds.  This  was  done  by 
dropping  part  of  Rosemont  Park,  a  number  of  tracts  along  Sixteenth 
street  extended,  and  portions  of  the  Van  Riswick,  Brown,  and  other 
tracts  near  the  District  line.  The  purchase  was  completed  on  April 
13,  1892.  Other  pieces  were  subsequently  added  by  purchase  and 
donation,  and  the  park  now  includes  a  little  more  than  1,600  acres. 

"After  all  manner  of  trials  and  tribulations,"  said  a  local  paper, 
"and  in  the  face  of  unreasonable  opposition,"  (Appendix  H)  the 
effort  to  provide  this  city  with  a  park  worthy  of  the  nation's  capital 
has  reached  a  triumphant  conclusion.  President  Cleveland  having 
approved  the  recommendation  of  the  Rock  Creek  Park  Commission  as 
to  the  final  jjurchase  of  the  necessary  lands.  This  concluding  pur- 
chase exhausts  the  money  which  Congress  placed  at  the  disposal  of 
the  commission,  and  although  the  total  acreage  of  the  park  is  about 
300  acres  less  than  the  commission  hoped  to  be  able  to  secure,  the 
results  as  a  whole  are  highly  satisfactory.  With  the  acquisition  of 
the  several  tracts  referred  to  in  the  request  of  the  commission  it  will 
be  possible  for  those  who  will  control  park  improvements  to  provide 
an  artificial  lake,  which  will  at  once  be  a  source  of  pleasure  and  an 
aid  to  sanitation;  for,  without  material  lowering  of  the  lake  waters, 
lower  Rock  Creek — now  nothing  but  a  sewer — may  be  flushed  as  fre- 
quently and  as  effectively  as  the  authorities  desire.  The  Washington 
of  to-day  is  grateful  to  those  whose  energy  is  responsible  for  the  crea- 
tion of  the  parK: ;  the  Washington  of  fifty  years  hence  will  be  much 
more  grateful.  However  great  the  credit  awarded  to  the  citizens 
whose  efforts  resulted  in  securing  the  park  legislation,  no  small  debt 
of  gratitude  is  due  by  the  public  to  the  park  commissioners  and  espe- 
cially to  its  representative  in  court,  Mr.  R.  Ross  Perry,  for  a  steady 
loyalty  to  the  trust  imposed  in  them  and  a  vigorous  management  of 
the  affairs  intrusted  to  them  that  preserved  what  the  citizens  commit- 
tee had  won." 

Thus  this  most  beautiful  Rock  Creek  Valley  was  acquired  and  set 
apart  as  a  public  park  or  pleasure  ground  for  the  benefit  and  enjoy- 
ment of  the  people  of  the  United  States;  Rock  Creek,  the  banks  of 
which  Joel  Barlow  selected  for  his  home;  Rock  Creek,  the  stream  on 
which  John  Quincy  Adams  built  and,  in  the  wildest  nature,  free  from 
toil  and  care,  made  a  home;  Rock  Creek,  where  the  lamented  scient- 
ist, George  Brown  Goode,  sought  much-needed  rest;  Rock  Creek, 
which  was  the  delight  in  life  of  John  Howard  Payne  and  on  its  banks 
in  death  he  finallj^  found  his  "Home,  Sweet  Home." 

IMPROVEMENT  OP  ROCK  CREEK  PARK. 

On  October  9,  1896,  I  had  the  honor  of  introducing  a  resolution  in 
the  Brightwood  Citizens'  Association  in  regard  to  the  improvement  of 
Rock  Creek  Park.  The  Evening  Star's  report  of  the  meeting  is  in 
part  as  follows: 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  109 

ROCK   CREEK   PARK. 

The  president  caUed  Dr.  C.  G.  Stone  to  the  chair,  and  then  followed  the  most 
important  feature  of  the  evening.  President  Cox  stated  that,  in  his  judgment, 
the  question  of  the  improvement  of  Rock  Creek  Park  should  receive  the  imme- 
diate attention  of  the  association.     He  said  in  part: 

' '  Over  six  years  have  elapsed  since  the  act  establishing  the  Rock  Creek  Park 
became  a  law.  Five  years  have  passed  since  its  present  boundaries  were  finally 
determined  upon.  Yet,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  not  a  single  dollar  has  been  spent  in 
making  it  accessible  to  the  people  for  whose  recreation  it  was  purchased;  and  to-day 
the  romantic  valley  of  Rock  Creek,  only  a  few  hundred  feet  west  of  us.  with  all  its 
natural  beauty,  remains  as  wild  and  almost  as  unobserved  as  it  did  when  prehistoric 
men  made  their  stone  axes  in  the  quarries  on  its  banks. 

"If  this  magnificent  natural  park  is  to  be  what  it  was  intended  to  be,  it  is  now 
full  time  that  roads  and  pathways  be  made  to  and  through  it;  but,  in  absolute 
harmony  with  all  its  wild  surroundings,  until  this  is  done,  our  people  can  not  have 
free  access  to  this  the  most  beautiful  region  possessed  by  any  city  or  any  country  for 
a  park.  With  a  view  of  calling  the  attention  of  the  Commissioners  and  Congress 
to  this  matter,  and  with  a  view  of  making  the  park  symmetrical  and  even  more 
picturesque — a  park  worthy  of  a  great  people — I  offer  the  following  resolutions: 

"  ■  Whereas  under  the  act  of  September  27,  1890,  authorizing  the  establishment 
of  a  public  park  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  there  was  acquired  a  most  pictur- 
esque tract  of  land  lying  on  both  sides  of  Rock  Creek,  from  Klingie  Ford  bridge 
to  the  State  line  of  Maryland,  which,  under  the  law.  is  to  be  perpetually  dedicated 
and  set  apart  as  a  pleasure  ground  for  the  benefit  and  enjoyment  of  the  people  of 
the  United  States ;  and 

"•Whereas  the  said  park  is  inaccessible  to  those  for  whom  it  was  created,  for 
want  of  proper  roads  and  entrances:  Therefore,  be  it 

"  ■  Resolved,  That  the  Brightwood  Avenue  Citizens'  Association  petition  the  hon- 
orable Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columbia  to  recommend  and  urge  upon 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States  the  necessity  of  making  an  appropriation  of  at 
least  SIOO.OOO  to  enable  the  legal  custodians  of  the  park  to  begin  to  carry  out  the 
provisions  of  the  law,  for  laying  out  and  preparing  roadways  and  bridle  paths  to 
be  used  for  driving  and  horseback  riding,  respectively,  and  footpaths  for  pedes- 
trians, and  also  to  preserve  from  injury  or  spoliation  all  timber,  animals,  or  curi- 
osities within  said  park  and  their  retention  in  their  natural  state  as  nearly  as 
possible. 

•''Resolved,  That  in  order  to  make  the  said  Rock  Creek  Park  more  accessible 
and  to  preserve  its  beauty  and  symmetry  Sixteenth  street  should  form  the  eastern 
boundary  of  said  park  from  Blagden  Mill  road  to  the  District  line. 

"  'Resolved  That  on  account  of  its  great  natural  beauty,  the  tract  of  land,  about 
600  feet  in  width,  lying  on  either  side  of  Piney  Branch  stream,  from  it.s  junction 
with  Rock  Creek  to  Columbia  avenue,  should  also  be  made  a  part  of  Rock  Creek 
Park. 

"  '  Resolved,  That  the  honorable  the  Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columbia 
be  requested  to  make  a  preliminary  survey  of  the  land  herein  mentioned  and  an 
estimate  of  its  cost,  and  prepare  plats  of  the  same,  together  with  such  bill  or  bills 
for  obtaining  said  land  by  purchase  or  condemnation,  and  submit  to  and  urge  the 
passage  of  these  measures  by  the  Congress  of  the  United  States. 

"  'Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  furnished  to  the  Commissioners 
of  the  District  of  Columbia  and  to  the  Senate  and  House  Committees  on  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia.''' 

Mr.  Cox  illustrated  his  remarks  with  a  plat  showing  the  boundary  lines  of  the 
park  and  the  proposed  new  lines.  It  was  estimated  that  the  land  desired  to  be 
added  to  the  park  contained  abovit  50  acres.     He  also  exhibited  a  series  of  artistic 


110  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

photographs  he  had  taken  of  charming  views  in  the  Rock  Creek  region.  Con- 
cluding, he  said:  "This  is  not  a  matter  limited  to  this  association  nor  the  citizens 
of  the  District  only,  nor  to  the  thousands  of  visitors  to  the  nation's  capital,  but 
to  every  citizen  of  the  United  States,  most  of  whom  will  visit  Washington  some 
time  in  their  lives. 

Remarks  wei'e  made  by  the  majority  of  the  members  before  the  final  action  was 
taken  on  the  resolutions.  Mr.  E.  T.  Bates  made  a  special  argument  as  regarded 
the  parks  of  other  cities  and  the  question  of  extravagance  should  the  improve- 
ments be  made  to  the  park.     He  said: 

"There  need  be  no  hesitancy  through  fear  of  extravagance  in  this  matter.  This 
city  is  far  behind  many  of  her  sister  cities  in  the  sums  expended  for  parks  wherein 
the  public  may  seek  relief  from  the  heat  and  depressing  effects  of  asiihalt  and  bricks. 
New  York  City  owns  about  40  parks,  one  of  which  alone  cost  over  $6,000,000. 
Fairmount  Park,  in  Philadelphia,  cost  over  $6,000,000;  Prospect  Park,  Brooklyn, 
nearly  $4,000,000,  and  Baltimore,  St.  Louis,  Boston,  Buffalo.  Albany,  Richmond, 
Bridgeport,  New  Haven,  and  numerous  other  cities  have  spent  enormous  sums  in 
providing  riiral  parks.  In  Europe  the  leading  cities  had  in  recent  years  expended 
great  sums  in  adding  to  the  area  of  their  rural  recreation  grounds.  Why,  then, 
should  Washington,  the  capital  city  of  Grod's  most  favored  country,  be  unprovided 
for  in  this  respect?  Nature  has  been  most  lavish  in  furnishing  the  materials,  and 
this  magnificent  aggregation  of  natural  attractions  has  been  purchased  and  given  a 
name;  but  yet  to-day  only  by  name  is  it  known  by  ninety-nine  one-hundredths  of 
the  citizens  of  the  District,  simply  because  the  doors  are  closed,  and  it  will  necessi- 
tate the  expenditure  of  a  few  thousand  dollars  to  properly  open  them." 

The  resolutions  were  then  unanimously  adopted. 

The  same  issue,  speaking  of  these  resolutions  editorially,  said 

IMPROVED  ROCK  CREEK  PARK. 

The  resohitions  adopted  last  night  by  the  Brightwood  Avenue  Citizens"  Associa- 
tion toward  executing  the  provisions  of  the  law  for  laying  out,  preparing  road- 
ways and  footpaths  in,  and  saving  from  spoliation  Rock  Creek  Park,  thereby 
making  it  accessible  to  the  public,  will  commend  themselves  to  the  citizens  of  the 
entire  District.  As  forcibly  stated  by  the  president  of  the  association,  over  six 
years  have  elapsed  since  the  act  establishing  the  park  became  a  law;  yet  up  to  the 
present  time  no  money  has  been  spent  in  making  it  accessible  to  the  people  for 
whose  benefit  it  was  purchased.  If  this  magnificent  park  is  to  be  what  it  was 
intended,  the  Commissioners  of  the  District  should  incorporate  in  their  forthcom- 
ing estimates  to  Congress  provision  for  making  the  park  accessible  and  commenc- 
ing the  much  desired  improvements  as  soon  as  the  necessary  funds  are  available. 

The  second  proposition,  to  make  Sixteenth  street,  or  Executive  avenue,  the  east- 
ern boundary  of  the  park  beyond  Blagden  Mill  road  is  very  desirable.  In  ^e 
original  act  Sixteenth  street  was  to  have  been  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  park>. 
Owing,  however,  to  lack  of  sufficient  funds  the  land  could  not  be  procured,  and* 
the  boundary  line  was  therefore  made  exceedingly  irregular,  leaving  several  small 
sections  of  land  belonging  to  private  individuals  intervening  between  the  line  of 
Sixteenth  street  and  the  present  eastern  boundary  of  the  pai'k. 

The  valley  of  Piney  Branch  at  its  junction  with  Rock  Creek,  adjoining  Mount 
Pleasant,  is  especially  beautiful,  and  forms  one  of  the  tew  natural  entrances  to 
the  park.  The  proposition  to  acquire  this  laud,  on  either  side  of  the  stream  from 
the  present  boundary  of  the  park  to  Piney  Branch  road,  as  an  addition  to  our 
park  system  is  also  to  be  commended. 

In  connection  with  the  street  extension  plans  of  the  District  of 
Columbia,  Maj.  Charles  F.  Powell  submitted  a  plan  connecting  the 


PAKK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  Ill 

forts  of  the  civil  war  in  the  District  of  Columbia  by  a  boulevard  or 
fort  drive.  A  full  description,  with  map,  is  pul)lished  in  the  Wash- 
ington papers  of  May  23,  1896. 

Too  much  praise  can  not  be  given  Gen.  John  M.  Wilson,  Chief  of 
Engineers;  Capt.  Lansing  H.  Beach,  Engineer  Commissioner,  and 
Mr.  W.  P.  Richards,  the  assistant  engineer  and  executive  officer  of 
the  board  of  control,  for  the  intelligent  manner  in  which  they  have 
performed  their  duties  and  in  accomplishing  so  much  for  the 
improvement  of  Rock  Creek  Park  with  the  small  funds  available  for 
the  Oldening  up  to  the  public  of  this  most  beautiful  region  as  set  forth 
in  Park  Improvement  Paper  No.  1. 

The  Evening  "Star"  of  September  1,  1900,  said: 

There  are  drives  and  drives  around  Washington,  beautiful  drives  that  lead 
through  unrivaled  sylvan  scenery,  turning  from  one  allurement  to  twist  toward 
another,  rising  from  one  exquisite  vista  to  descend  and  bring  to  view  one  even  more 
superb  and  commanding.  No  city  in  the  world  is  so  fortunate  in  such  possessions 
as  the  capital  city'of  the  world's  greatest  nation,  when  the  picturesque  is  considered 
and  the  panoramic  variety  that  greets  and  delights  the  vision  so  constantly  is 
regarded, and  no  matter  in  which  suburban  direction  the  District  is  traversed,  to 
say  nothing  of  Virginia's  heights  to  the  southwest  of  us,  the  seeker  for  the  lovely 
and  satisfying  is  sure  to  be  rewarded  most  amply.  In  its  city  parks  the  nation's 
capital  is  also  fortunate  above  all  others,  and  in  a  few  years  it  is  destined  to  be 
endowed  even  more  richly  with  vast  domains  of  pleasure  and  recreative  places 
beyond  the  city  limits,  while  at  the  river  front  will  be  a  beautiful  breathing  spot, 
which  will  make  all  capitals,  whether  of  States  or  nations,  envious,  indeed.  Rock 
Creek  Park  is  to  be  world  famous  one  of  these  days.  Naught  else  can  be  its  destiny. 
Its  untouched  natural  beauties  are  now  scarcely  in  their  prime,  and  will  be  slow 
to  reach  the  maturity  that  in  real  nature  remains  perfect  so  long.  Few  people  in 
Washington  are  yet  acquainted  with  this  royal  principality  of  the  picturesque  so 
near  their  very  thresholds. 

There  is  a  vague  understanding  that  a  considerable  amount  of  unimproved  prop- 
erty lying  on  either  side  of  Rock  Creek,  and  including  the  valley  of  that  exquisite 
stream,  and  extending  from  where  the  Zoological  Park  ends  to  the  District  line, 
has  been  purchased  for  park  purposes,  but  few  in  comparison  to  the  population 
have  anything  more  definite  about  it  in  their  minds.  It  may  be  interesting  to 
^ow,  therefore,  that  Rock  Creek  Park  is  twice  as  large  as  Central  Park,  upon 
which  Greater  New  York  plumes  herself  with  so  much  pride,  and  that  in  natural 
beauties  Rock  Creek  Park  is  a  hundred  times  much  superior  to  the  much-vaimted 
parallelogram  on  Manhattan  Island.  Central  Park  is  2i  miles  long  and  half  a 
mile  wide,  and  contains  800  acres.  Rock  Creek  Park  is  5  miles  long  and  at  its 
narrowest  part  for  a  very  short  distance  is  1,500  feet  wide,  spreading  quickly  to  a 
mile,  and  contains  1,600  acres. 

Steadily  amd  surely  it  is  being  improved,  and  in  the  matter  of  drives  and  roads 
this  is  particularly  so.  Capt.  Lansing  H.  Beach,  the  Engineer  Commissioner  of 
the  district,  may  be  justly  regarded  as  the  guardian  angel  of  Rock  Creek  Park. 
There  is  a  commission,  as  is  well  known,  that  has  the  park  under  control,  but 
Captain  Beach  is  the  moving  spirit  in  the  transformation  now  in  progress,  and 
his  effective  vicar  in  the  good  work  has  been  and  is  Mr.  W.  B.  Richards,  of  the 
Distaict  engineer's  office. 

"If  you  want  to  know  anything  about  Rock  Creek  Park,"  exclaimed  Captain 
Gaillard,  Acting  Engineer  Commissioner,  to  an  inquiring  Star  reporter,  "see  Cap- 


112 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


tain  Beach  when  he  comes  back,  or  see  Mr.  Richards,  his  right  hand,  now.     They 
are  the  genii  of  that  quarter  of  the  District. " 

The  park  is  no  new  flame  of  either  gentleman.     Captain  Beach  began  the  work 
of  improving  the  property  three  or  four  years  ago  in  a  unique  manner.     There  was 


much  underbrush  to  be  cleared  around  existing  roads  and  similar  cleaning  up  to 
be  done,  and  he  set  the  chain  gang  to  work  upon  it.  Following  that  he  asked  that 
Congress  give  authority  to  expend  a  sum  of  between  $24,000  and  $25,000  remain- 
ing over  from  the  money  appropriated  for  purchasing  the  park,  and  this  being 
granted  the  money  was  spent  last  year  in  road  improvement.    This  year  an  appro- 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  113 

priation  of  $15,000  was  secured.  Captain  Beach  had  asked  for  $30,000,  which  was 
little  enough,  it  would  seem,  where  so  much  was  at  stake,  but  the  national  legis- 
lators cut  this  sum  in  half,  and  what  he  has  accomplished  and  is  accomplishing 
with  it  is  pointed  out  in  some  of  the  succeeding  paragraphs. 

ROCK   CREEK   DRIVE. 

The  Linnean  Hill  road,  by  which  Rock  Creek  Park  is  directly  reached  after 
leaving  Park  avenue.  Mount  Pleasant,  had  a  very  steep  grade — something  like  10 
feet  in  100 — that  was  both  difficult  and  dangerous  for  driving.  This  obstacle  no 
longer  exists.  It  has  been  eliminated  by  making  a  road  to  the  north  along  and 
around  the  side  of  the  hiJl,  making  a  graceful  curve,  and  being  taken  across  Piney 
Branch  over  a  bridge  300  feet  long. 

When  a  person  has  gone  thus  far  in  his  carriage  or  automobile,  or  on  his  horse 
or  bicycle,  or  afoot,  for  the  matter  of  that,  if  his  mind  and  muscle  can  be  inspired 
by  the  beautiful,  keep  right  on  and  follow  the  smooth  macadam.  It  will  be  found 
to  traverse  beautiful  miles  of  what  is  destined  to  be  known  the  world  over  as  Rock 
Creek  drive. 

Philadelphians  have  their  Wissahickon  drive,  which  they  are  proud  to  expatiate 
upon.  The  most  loyal  Quaker  in  the  brotherly  city  would  hesitate  to  mention 
Wissahickon  after  rolling  along  this  new  and  glorious  drive  through  the  national 
city's  new  park. 

After  descending  a  gentle  grade  beyond  Piney  Branch  bridge,  the  road  runs 
down  to  and  crosses  Rock  Creek  to  its  western  bank  near  the  site  of  old  Pierce's 
mill.  Thence  it  winds  through  the  lovely  valley,  closely  skirting  the  stream,  and 
the  manner  in  which  grades  of  tediousness  have  been  overcome  and  natural  beauties 
preserved  in  the  prosecution  of  the  work  is  a  triumph  of  engineering  and  landscape 
gardening  as  well.  Where  the  drive  has  been  taken  along  the  side  of  the  hill,  for 
instance,  it  has  been  built  there  with  material  brought  from  either  end,  and  the 
unseemly,  jagged,  angled  cuts  so  frequent  in  such  construction  are  lacking.  In 
every  foot  of  it,  whenever  there  was  faint  possibility  for  such  a  thing,  the  natural 
beauties  have  all  been  observed;  indeed,  almost  tenderly  so. 

Still  skirting  the  west  bank  of  the  creek,  the  drive  reaches  the  former  site  of  his- 
toric Blagden's  mill,  and  here  another  engineering  victory  begins.  The  mill  for- 
merly secured  its  power  from  water  conveyed  to  it  by  a  race  which  was  fed  from 
Rock  Creek  a  few  hundred  yards  above.  This  old  mill  race  has  been  utilized  as  a 
part  of  Rock  Creek  drive,  and  so  well  has  the  work  been  done  that  no  one  could 
tell  that  it  had  not  been  always  a  roadbed.  At  the  point  where  the  race  joined  the 
creek  is  a  bridge  across  the  latter,  and  to  and  above  the  Military  road  the  drive 
skirts  the  east  bank  of  Rock  Creek.  The  scenery  increases  in  beauty  and  now  and 
then  winds  in  and  out  of  a  natural  meadow  sparkling  with  promise  of  fall  flowers. 

The  macadamized  roadbed  of  the  drive  does  not  extend  farther  at  present  than 
the  Military  road,  but  the  drive  itself  continues  to  the  upper  end  of  the  park,  and 
is  a  dirt  road  in  excellent  condition,  and  only  muddy  in  places  in  very  wet  weather, 
but  at  any  time  the  scenery  is  worth  the  trip.  Work  is  now  progressing  on  another 
road,  which  will  connect  the  drive  with  the  Seventh  street  road  near  the  District 
line,  thus  giving  the  park  a  new  outlet. 

Some  idea  of  the  easy  character  of  the  drive,  so  far  as  grades  are  concerned,  may 
be  obtained  from  the  fact  that  in  the  7,000  feet — which  is  the  distance  from  Blag- 
den's mill  to  the  Military  road — the  entire  length  of  the  drive  being  nearly  5  miles — 
the  rise  is  only  60  feet,  and  so  slight  is  the  incline  that  it  seems  to  be  perfectly 
level  throughout. 

OTHER  WORK   IN   PROGRESS. 

The  work  outlined  above,  however,  is  not  all  that  is  being  done  in  the  park. 
The  Ridge  road,  which  may  be  located  upon  the  accompanying  map,  is  being 
rapidly  improved  and  will  shortly  add  another  link  to  the  notable  network  of 
p  1—03 8 


114  PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

drives,  and  a  most  romantic  one.  Blagden  avenue  is  also  being  opened  from 
Sixteenth  street  extended  to  the  Rock  Creek  drive,  thus  giving  another  new 
entrance  to  the  park,  and  doing  away  with  the  necessity  for  drivers  to  risk  the 
danger  of  the  deep  descent  on  the  Blagden  road.  To  see  the  beauties  of  Rock 
Creek  Park  and  realize  their  manifold  character  in  hill  and  valley,  vista  and  dell, 
and  at  the  same  time  be  assured  of  first-class  road  surface  for  any  kind  of  vehicle, 
one  is  advised  to  make  his  way  by  the  Rock  Creek  drive  to  the  Military  road,  up 
that  road  westward  to  the  Broad  Branch  road,  and  back  over  the  latter,  a  most 
entrancing  journey  to  the  starting  point.  A  glance  at  the  map  will  show  the 
route  suggested. 

It  is  fitting,  in  conclusion,  to  remark  upon  the  economy  which  has  distinguished 
the  work  done  in  the  park.  The  cost  of  macadamizing  a  road,  exclusive  of  making 
the  roadbed  itself,  is  usually  about  $2  a  foot.  The  entire  cost  of  road  making  and 
macadamizing  the  drive  was  this  sum  per  foot.  This  saving  was  accomplished 
by  crushing  the  rock  taken  out  of  the  road  line  and  using  the  material  in  mac- 
adamizing. 

In  conclusion  I  submit  a  map  showing  the  plan  of  connecting  Rock 
Creek  Park  with  the  Potomac  Park  on  the  south  as  recommended  by 
the  committee  on  parks  and  reservations  of  the  board  of  trade,  also  a 
letter  from  Capt.  II.  C.  Looker,  surveyor  of  the  District,  explaining 
the  same.  I  also  inclose  a  water  color  plan  showing  a  proposed 
Georgetown  entrance  to  the  park  system. 

I  am,  sir,  yours  very  respectfully,  W.  V.  Cox. 

Hon.  James  McMillan, 

Chairman,  etc.,  United  States  Senate. 


Appendix  A. 

[Senate  Mis.  Doc.  No.  21,  Thirty-ninth  Congress,  second  session.] 

Communication  of  N.  Michler,  major  of  engineers,  to  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Public 
Grounds  and  Buildings  relative  to  a  suitable  site  for  a  public  park  and  Presidential  mansion, 
submitted  to  accompany  the  bill  (S.  549)  for  the  establishment  and  maintenance  of  a  public 
park  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 

February  13. — Ordered  to  be  printed. 

Washington  City,  January  S9, 1867. 

Sir:  In  compliance  with  the  contents  of  your  letters  of  the  24th  and  26th  of 
July,  1866,  addressed  to  the  honorable  Secretary  of  War,  I  was  detailed  by  the 
Chief  of  Engineers,  with  the  consent  of  the  G-eneral  in  Chief,  to  carry  out  the 
views  of  the  committee  in  regard  to  the  special  duty  assigned  me.  In  the  letters 
referred  to,  you  requested  that  an  engineer  officer  be  detailed  to  make  the  neces- 
sary preliminary  surveys  and  maps  of  certain  tracts  of  land  adjoining  or  near  this 
city  for  the  purposes  of  a  public  park  and  also  a  suitable  site  for  a  Presidential 
mansion,  and  which,  in  the  language  of  the  Senate  resolution  of  the  18th  of  the 
same  month,  "shall  combine  convenience  of  access  and  heathfulness,  good  water, 
and  capability  of  adornment; "  in  addition  to  this  to  ascertain,  if  practicable,  the 
price  of  said  lands. 

After  a  careful  examination  of  the  many  beautiful  localities  to  be  found  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  capital,  and  having  caused  an  accurate  and  detailed  survey  of  its 
environs  to  be  made,  I  now  have  the  honor  to  submit  for  your  consideration  the 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  115 

conclusions  to  which  I  have  arrived.  In  connection  with  this  report  two  prelimi- 
nary maps  have  been  prepared,  which  will  show  more  plainly  than  words  can 
express  the  required  information  and  the  respective  advantages  of  the  different 
sections.  The  Senate  resolution  would  seem  to  imply  that  one  and  the  same  tract 
of  land  should  be  designated  for  a  site  for  grounds  for  a  Presidential  mansion  as 
well  as  for  a  public  park;  but  as  it  is  not  definitely  so  stated,  it  has  been  judged 
l;est  by  me  to  separate  the  subjects.  Should  such  not  be  the  intention  of  your 
honorable  committee  it  will  be  easy  to  combine  the  two,  where  so  many  splendid 
situations  present  themselves  from  which  to  make  a  selection.  As  it  is  designed 
to  build  a  home  for  the  President  to  which  he  can  retire  from  the  active  cares  and 
business  of  his  high  office,  and  where  he  can  secure  that  ease,  comfort,  and  seclu- 
sion so  necessary  to  a  statesman,  it  would  seem  best  to  locate  it  away  from  the 
constant  turmoil  of  a  city  life,  at  such  a  distance  where  his  privacy  can  not  easily 
be  intruded  upon,  and  still  sufficiently  accessible  for  all  practical  purposes. 

In  the  first  place,  let  me  consider  the  subject  of  a  public  park.  Where  so  much 
has  been  written  on  so  interesting  a  feature  to  any  large  city  as  that  of  a  park, 
and  where  the  necessity  of  public  grounds,  either  for  the  sake  of  healthful  recre- 
ation and  exercise  for  all  classes  of  society  or  for  the  gratification  of  their  tastes, 
whether  for  pleasure  or  curiosity,  has  become  apparent  to  every  enlightened  com- 
munity, it  would  seem  to  be  unnecessary  for  me  to  dilate  further  upon  the  matter, 
to  saj^  nothing  of  the  natural  or  artificial  beauties  which  adorn  the  park,  and  so 
cultivate  an  appreciative  and  refined  taste  in  those  who  seek  its  shades  for  the  pur- 
pose of  breathing  the  free  air  of  heaven  and  admiring  nature.  It  certainly  is  the 
most  economical  and  practical  means  of  providing  all,  old  and  young,  rich  and 
poor,  with  that  greatest  of  all  needs,  healthful  exercise  in  the  country. 

To  accomplish  these  ends  there  should  be  a  spaciousness  in  the  extent  of  the 
grounds,  not  merely  presenting  the  appearance  of  a  large  domain,  but  in  reality 
possessing  many  miles  of  drives  and  rides  and  walks,  all  independent  of  each 
other,  and  either  open  or  protected  so  as  to  be  suitable  for  the  different  seasons. 
There  should  be  a  variety  of  scenery,  a  happy  combination  of  the  beautiful  and 
picturesque — the  smooth  plateau  and  the  gently  undulating  glade  vieing  with  the 
ruggedness  of  the  rock  ravine  and  the  fertile  valley,  the  thickly  mantled  primeval 
forest  contrasting  with  the  green  lawn,  grand  old  trees  with  flowering  shrubs. 
Wild,  bold,  rapid  streams,  coursing  their  way  along  the  entire  length  and  breadth 
of  such  a  scene  would  not  only  lend  enchantment  to  the  view,  but  add  to  the  capa- 
bilities of  adornment.  While  nature  lavishly  offers  a  succession  of  falls,  cas- 
cades, and  rapids,  to  greet  the  eye  as  the  waters  dash  through  some  romantic  vale, 
the  hand  of  art  can  be  used  to  transform  them  into  ponds  and  lakes  as  they  gently 
glide  through  the  more  peaceful  valleys,  thereby  rendering  them  the  means  of 
pleasure  and  recreation  for  boating  or  skating.  What  so  useful  as  an  abundance 
of  water,  or  so  ornamental  when  converted  into  fountains  and  jets  to  cool  the 
heated  atmosphere?  It  furnishes,  also,  opportunities  for  the  engineer  and  artist 
to  display  their  taste  in  constructing  ornamental  and  rustic  bridges  to  span  the 
stream. 

An  attempt  has  been  made  in  a  few  words  to  describe  the  purposes  and  beauties 
of  a  public  park.  In  no  place  has  nature  been  more  bountiful  of  her  charms  than 
in  the  vicinity  of  this  city,  and  all  can  be  found  so  near  and  accessible;  the  valley 
of  the  Rock  Creek  and  its  tributaries,  the  Broad  and  Piney  branches  and  the  sev- 
eral minor  rivulets,  with  the  adjoining  hills  overlooking  these  beautiful  streams, 
present  the  Capital  of  the  nation  advantages  not  to  be  lightl)'  disregarded  in  pro- 
viding a  park  worthy  a  great  people.  All  the  elements  which  constitute  a  public 
resort  of  the  kind  can  be  found  in  this  wild  and  romantic  tract  of  country.  With 
its  charming  drivts  and  walks,  its  hills  and  dales,  its  pleasant  valleys  and  deep 
ravines,  its  primeval  forests  and  cultivated  fields,  its  running  waters,  its  rocks 


116  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

clothed  with  rich  ferns  and  mosses,  its  repose  and  tranquillity,  its  light  and  shade, 
its  ever- varying  shrubbery,  its  beautiful  and  extensive  views,  the  locality  is 
already  x)ossessed  with  all  the  features  necessary  for  the  object  in  view.  There 
you  can  find  nature  diversified  in  almost  every  hue  and  form,  needing  but  the 
taste  of  the  artist  ind  the  skill  of  the  engineer  to  enhance  its  beauty  and  useful- 
ness; gentle  pruning  and  removing  what  may  be  distasteful,  improving  the  roads 
and  paths  and  the  construction  of  new  ones,  and  increasing'  the  already  large 
growth  of  trees  and  shrubs,  deciduous  and  evergreen,  by  adding  to  them  those  of 
other  climes  and  countries.  A  list  of  the  various  trees  and  shrubs,  and  vines  and 
creepers,  to  be  found  already  flourishing  in  the  region  described,  and  also  the 
nature  of  the  soil,  will  be  appended  to  this  report.  A  glance  at  the  mai)  will  show 
the  topographical  features  of  the  country,  and  its  accessibility  to  both  Washing- 
ton and  Georgetown. 

The  valley  of  Rock  Creek  occupies  a  central  position  to  both,  as  it  lies  between 
the  Tennalytown  road  on  the  west,  one  of  the  most  prominent  thoroughfares  lead- 
ing out  of  the  city,  and  the  Fourteenth  Street  road  and  Seventh  Street  turnpike  on 
the  east,  two  of  the  finest  communications  running  in  a  northerly  direction  from 
the  other.  From  these  main  highways  many  branches  cross  the  valleys  or  follow 
along  the  banks  of  the  stream;  these  transverse  roads  already  form  beautiful 
drives.  Rock  Creek  winds  along  for  more  than  4  miles  through  the  center  of  the 
proposed  grounds,  receiving  at  convenient  points  the  waters  of  the  Broad  and 
Piney  branches,  and  several  smaller  tributaries.  For  a  short  distance  it  courses 
through  a  narrow  but  beautiful  valley,  then  wildly  dashes  for  a  mile  over  a  suc- 
cession of  falls  and  rapids,  with  a  descent  of  some  8  feet,  the  banks  on  both  sides 
being  bold,  rocky,  and  picturesque;  then  passes  again  through  narrow  valleys  or 
between  high,  bluff  banks.  At  many  points  the  creek  is  capable  of  being  dammed, 
thus  forming  a  series  of  lakes  and  ponds  for  useful  and  ornamental  purposes. 
The  many  deep  ravines  setting  in  towards  it  can  furnish  romantic  walks  and  quiet 
retreats  for  the  pedestrian.  The  larger  part  of  the  ground  is  thickly  wooded  and 
capable  of  great  adornment.  Here  we  find  the  several  varities  of  oak,  the  beech, 
the  locust,  the  n:iulberry,  the  hickory,  the  sassafras,  the  persimmon,  the  dogwood, 
the  pine,  with  a  great  many  shrubs,  vines,  and  creepers  growing,  climbing,  and 
trailing  throughout  the  woods.  Beautiful  vistas,  artistically  arranged,  can  be  cut 
through  them,  exhibiting  distant  points  of  landscape,  while  charming  promenades 
can  invite  the  wanderer  to  seek  cooling  shades.  Nature  has  been  so  rich  in  her 
vegetable  creation  that  the  plan  of  transplanting  trees  of  lai'ge  growth,  which  has 
been  adopted  in  most  of  the  modern  parks,  will  be  unnecessarj-.  There  are  some 
few  country  seats,  such  as  Blagden's,  Pierce's,  and  Walbridge's,  which  have  been 
highly  cultivated;  should  it  be  found  desirable  to  erect  the  Presidential  mansion 
within  the  inclosure  of  the  park  the  first-mentioned  site  possesses  many  advan- 
tages, both  ornamental  and  valuable.  Here  and  there  some  prominent  point 
offers  commanding  views  of  the  surrounding  country,  where  observatories  can  be 
located,  conservatories  built  for  exotic  plants,  and  geometrical  flower  gardens 
planted.  Back  from  the  stream  some  level  plateaus  extend,  which  can  be  appropri- 
ately employed  for  zoological  and  botanical  gardens,  grounds  for  play  and  parade, 
and  many  other  useful  purposes. 

The  map  shows  the  most  desirable  localities,  the  surveys  having  been  made  in 
great  detail.  The  lay  of  the  land  is  such  as  admits  of  thorough  drainage,  and  the 
nature  of  the  soil  offers  all  the  facilities  for  building  good  roads.  The  granite  and 
limestone  rocks  which  are  found  outcropping  at  different  points  will  furnish  the 
materials  for  their  superstructure.  In  fact,  every  facility  is  offered  for  laying  out 
and  constructing  a  grand  national  park. 

The  questions  now  arise  as  to  what  should  be  the  extent  of  the  proposed  work 
and  the  probable  price  of  the  land.  As  it  should  be  one  worthy  of  the  capital  of 
the  nation,  and  as  the  ground  can  be  secured  at  a  reasonable  price  before  being 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  117 

occupied  by  costly  suburban  villas,  it  is  respectfully  recommended  to  the  honor- 
able eouamittee  to  purchase  at  once  a  sufficient  number  of  acres  bordering  on 
Rock  Creek  to  anticipate  the  future  growth  of  the  city  and  its  increasing  popula- 
tion. With  the  view  of  retaining  as  much  of  the  picturesque  scenery  along  the 
stream  and  of  also  embracing  the  sites  of  some  few  of  the  forts  on  the  north,  con- 
structed for  defense  of  the  city,  which  have  become  historical,  and  from  the  para- 
pets of  which  extensive  views  can  be  had,  I  have  marked  on  the  maps  such  lines 
as  may  be  satisfactorily  taken  as  approximate  bounds  of  the  park.  In  case  my 
recommendations  should  be  considered  too  extravagant,  I  have  caused  a  second 
series  of  lines  to  be  drawn  for  grounds  of  more  moderate  dimensions.  The  first 
tract  would  contain  about  3,540  acres,  more  or  less,  and  the  second  1,800,  more  or 
less.  As  there  is  so  much  difference  of  opinion  as  to  the  price  of  the  land,  the 
quality  and  improvements  varying  so  much,  it  is  a  difficult  matter  to  offer  any- 
thing more  than  an  ai)proximate  appraisement.  As  the  right  of  eminent  domain 
empowers  the  Government  to  take  property,  and  as  such  property  is  the  necessary 
incident  to  sovereignty,  the  ciuestiou  would  finallj'  have  to  be  settled  by  a  com- 
mission appointed  by  some  competent  court.  The  price  ranges  from  §50  to  §1,000 
per  acre.  A  mean  of  $200  should  amply  cover  the  entire  cost.  It  will  be  noticed 
that  the  southern  limits,  as  drawn,  of  the  proposed  park  do  not  approach  more 
closely  than  necessary  the  city  limits,  leaving  out.  where  possible,  such  sites  as 
would  greatly  enhance  the  cost.  Avenues  leading  along  Rock  Greek  to  the  south- 
ern limits  of  the  park  should  be  opened.  Accordmg  to  the  above  figures  the  larger 
tract  would  amount  to  $580,000  and  the  smaller  one  to  $360,000.  As  the  work  of 
constructing  a  park  will  consume  many  years,  no  longer  delay  than  is  absolutely 
necessary  should  be  consumed  in  the  preliminary  arrangements  for  the  passage  of 
the  necessary  laws  and  the  purchase  of  the  lands. 

The  dimensions  of  the  most  celebrated  European  parks  are  as  follows: 

London. — All  parks  in  and  near  London,  including  gardens,  squares,  and  parade 
grounds,  6,000  acres.  Hyde  Park,  380  acres;  Regent's  Park,  372  acres;  Windsor 
Little  Park,  300  acres;  Kensington,  227  acres;  Windsor  Great  Park,  3,500  acres; 
Richmond  Park,  2,250  acres. 

Dublin. — Phoenix  Park,  about  2,000  acres. 

Garden  at  Versailles,  3,000  acres;  Bois  de  Boulogne,  2,158  acres;  Munich,  Eng- 
lischer  Garten,  aboiit  500  acres;  Vienna,  Prater,  1,500  aci'es;  Birkenhead  Park, 
near  Liverpool.  180  acres. 

The  Central  Park  of  New  York,  the  most  important  work  of  the  kind  under- 
taken in  America,  is  over  2^  miles  long  by  U  miles  in  breadth,  and  contains  over 
840  acres.  There  are  about  9i  miles  of  drives,  94  miles  of  bridle  road,  and  some 
25  miles  of  walks.  The  annual  sum  provided  for  the  expense  of  maintaining  it, 
to  wit,  $150,000,  is  reported  to  be  insufficient.  The  number  of  visitors  continues 
to  increase  with  each  year;  in  1865,  7,593,139  persons  entered.  Hunting  Course 
Park,  near  Philadelphia,  and  the  Druid  Park,  near  Baltimore,  have  also  been 
constructed.  The  establishment  of  parks  is  exciting  great  attention  throughout 
the  land,  and  adds  vastly  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  people. 

SITE    FOR   A   PRESIDENTIAL  MANSION. 

I  would  now  call  the  attention  of  your  honorable  committee  to  the  remaining 
subject  of  this  report — the  selection  of  a  site  for  a  Presidential  mansion.  In  the 
memoranda  submitted  to  the  Secretary  of  War  by  letter  of  July  26,  1866,  you 
requested  "that  the  ground  known  as  Meridian  Hill"  and  "  the  estate  of  the  late 
Washington  Berry"'  should  be  particularly  examined,  as  they  are  thought  to  con- 
tain all  the  requisite  advantages  for  such  a  site;  "also  such  other  localities  as  may, 
in  the  judgment  of  the  engineer,"  present  eligible  positions  for  such  a  purpose. 
In  compliance  with  your  wish,  I  made  special  reconnoissances  and  surveys  of  the 


118  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

abov»-named  places,  as  well  as  some  others,  which  offer  great  inducements,  and 
will  now  discuss  each  separately. 

I.  Meridian  Hill  {Colonel  Messmore's  estate). — This  site  is  located  due  north 
from  the  present  White  House  on  the  first  range  of  hills  bounding  the  city  limits. 
It  is  easy  of  access,  several  avenues  and  streets  leading  in  that  direction.  On  the 
east  it  adjoins  the  lands  of  Columbia  CJollege,  and  on  the  west  those  of  Mr.  Little. 
The  number  of  acres  contained  in  this  tract  is  120,  which,  added  to  that  of  Mr. 
Little's  38  acres,  gives  a  total  of  158.  The  latter  offered  to  sell  to  the  Government 
at  about  G  cents  a  square  foot,  or  $2,618  per  acre.  On  both  these  estates  are  eligi- 
ble building  sites,  the  view  towards  the  south  overlooking  the  city  and  the  valley 
of  the  Potomac  being  particularly  fine.  At  one  time  some  large  forest  trees  added 
beauty  to  the  scene,  but  most  of  them  were  destroyed  during  the  war.  There  are 
no  improvements,  the  old  mansion  house  having  been  destroyed  by  fire  and  the 
walls  are  alone  standing.  North  of  the  site  the  land  is  nearly  level,  only  slightly 
undulating.  Although  possessed  of  considerable  advantages,  there  are  several 
objections  to  this  selection  in  connection  with  the  object  in  view.  Lying  just 
above  the  plateau  of  the  city  and  not  screened  by  any  belt  of  timber,  it  is  exposed 
to  the  miasmatic  influences  arising  from  the  marshes  of  the  Potomac.  Again,  it 
is  too  near  the  city  to  afford  any  retirement  and  repose  for  the  Chief  Magistrate. 
Already  the  street  railroads  approach,  and  numerous  houses  are  being  built  on  all 
sides  of  this  site. 

//.  Metropolis  Vieiv — {Homestead  of  the  late  Washington  Berry.) — This  estate 
lies  northeast  of  the  Capitol,  between  the  old  Bladensburg  road  and  Lincoln  ave- 
nue, the  latter  a  continuation  of  North  Capitol  street.  It  is  distant  from  the  Capi- 
tol about  2i  miles,  and  from  the  White  House  about  o  miles.  It  contains  some 
350  acres,  valued  by  the  trustees  at  §500  an  acre;  with  the  improvements,  including 
a  very  fine  spring  ;  the  whole  is  offered  at  $200,000.  To  the  east  of  it  lies  Brent- 
wood, the  fine  estate  of  Mrs.  Pearson;  and  to  the  west  Glen  wood  Cemetery;  and 
Harewood,  the  beautiful  grounds  of  Mr.  Corcoran.  In  front  spreads  out  Ecking- 
ton,  so  many  years  the  homestead  of  the  late  Mr.  Gales,  which  contains  130  acres; 
the  price  of  this  land  is  placed  at  $1,000  per  acre,  with  $25,000  additional  for 
improvements.  Metropolis  View  is  beautifully  situated,  having  a  high  and  com- 
manding position:  it  is  partially  covered  with  groves  of  fine  old  trees,  deciduous 
and  evergreen,  and  possessed  of  an  abundance  of  timber.  A  fine  spring  rises  in 
the  place,  and  two  small  streams,  tributaries  of  the  Tiber,  course  through  it.  In 
nearly  every  direction  the  eye  meets  with  charming  landscape  scenes,  and  it  over- 
looks the  Capitol  and  the  broad  valley  of  the  Potomac.  This  locality  possesses 
many  attractions,  and  is  susceptible  of  great  improvement.  It  is  easy  of  access 
by  some  of  the  finest  avenues  and  streets  leading  out  of  the  city,  and  is  at  a  very 
convenient  distance  from  the  most  prominent  public  buildings. 

Eckington  is  a  very  delightful  place,  but  it  is  not  sufficiently  high  to  afford  any 
extensive  views.  It  should,  however,  be  purchased  in  addition  to  the  Eerry 
estate,  should  Metropolis  View  be  selected  as  the  site.  The  two  tracts  of  land 
united  would  furnish  am])le  grounds  to  surround  the  mansion,  and  also  open  a  fine 
park  to  connect  with  the  city  on  the  direct  line  with  the  Capitol.  The  sum  total 
of  the  valuation  of  both  estates  amounts  to  $355,000,  In  regard  to  the  healthful- 
ness  of  this  locality,  the  opinions  of  those  with  whom  I  have  consulted  differ 
materially.  Some  think  that  the  miasma  carried  up  the  valley  of  the  Tiber  from 
the  Eastern  Branch  is  v^ry  deleterious  to  health,  while  others,  who  have  long 
inhabited  these  old  homesteads,  pronounce  them  to  be  very  perfectly  salubrious. 

III.  Hareu-ood  {Mr.  Corcoran' s  estate). — Among  the  many  delightful  drives 
around  the  city  of  Washington  none  can  compare  with  those  to  be  found  within 
the  inclosure  of  this  delightful  retreat.  The  grounds  are  most  artistically  arranged, 
and  no  expense  has  been  spared  in  adorning  them  by  all  the  appliances  at  the 
command  of  taste  and  wealth. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  119 

The  grounds  aro  naturally  beautiful  and  undulat.ng,  ami  all  that  skill  can 
accomplisli  has  been  applied  to  render  them  most  charming  and  picturesque.  In 
addition  to  the  natural  growth  of  vegetation  many  trees  and  plants  of  other 
climes  and  nations  have  been  introduced  to  impart  their  luxuriance  to  the  scene. 
The  estate  covers  some  200  acres,  but  as  you  follow  the  gentle  windings  of  the 
drives  and  walks  the  imagination  is  led  to  believe  it  to  be  of  much  greater  extent. 
Good  roads  lead  to  it  from  the  city,  making  it  perfectly  accessible.  A  fine  spring 
furnishes  a  plentiful  supply  of  water,  and  in  point  of  health  it  is  all  that  can  be 
desired.  This  spot,  originally  selected  by  the  proprietor  upon  which  to  erect  a 
prince  y  mansion,  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  situations  among  the  many  fine 
ones  in  the  environs  of  Washington.  It  would  be  a  most  eligible  site  for  a  Presi- 
dential mansion. 

IT'.  The  homestead  of  Mr.  Moncure  Robinson. — This  estate  is  now  occupied  by 
a  brother  of  the  proprietor,  the  latter  residing  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  It  lies 
adjoining  the  lands  belonging  to  the  United  States  Military  Asylum.  The  road 
which  leads  out  of  the  city  on  the  prolongation  of  North  Capitol  street  and  passes 
near  the  home  for  the  old  soldiers  almost  divides  the  place  into  equal  parts.  There 
are  about  70  acres  in  all.  which  the  owner  proposes  to  sell  at  $1,0U0  per  acre,  with- 
out the  improvements.  These  he  values  at  §30,000.  The  mansion  occupies  one 
of  the  most  elevated  positions  in  the  neighborhood  of  Washington.  An  extensive 
panorama  of  the  surrounding  country  lies  before  the  beholder.  From  every  point 
of  the  compass  the  eye  can  dwell  upon  magnificent  landscapes  extending  far  into 
Maryland  and  Virginia  and  rornbining  all  that  is  beautiful  and  picturesque.  In 
one  direction  the  gaze  rests  for  miles  on  the  waters  of  the  majestic  Potomac,  and 
in  another  there  are  mountains  and  hills  mantled  with  forests,  and  plains  and 
valleys  highly  cultivated.  The  place  contains  a  large  portion  of  heavy  timber, 
and  is  so  situated  as  to  oflfer  numerous  advantages  for  improvement.  From  its 
great  height  it  will  be  far  above  all  malarious  influences.  There  are  fine  springs 
in  the  neighborhood,  which  furnish  an  abundance  of  water  for  useful  and  orna- 
mental purposes.  The  locality  is  convenient  to  both  cities.  Through  Washing- 
ton several  avenues  and  streets  lead  toward  the  road  above  referred  to  as  connecting 
with  North  Capitol  street.  By  this  drive  a  straight-line  communication  can  be 
had  with  the  Capitol,  the  distance  between  the  two  being  less  than  4  miles.  By 
the  avenues  and  streets  connecting  with  the  Fourteenth  Street  road  and  Seventh 
Street  turnpike,  thence  by  Rock  Creek  Church  road,  a  very  direct  drive  of  a  little 
over  4  miles  can  be  had  with  the  White  House  and  the  public  buildings  adjoining 
it.  From  Georgetown  almost  an  air  line  can  be  had  from  Boundary  street,  Tay- 
lor's lane,  and  Rock  Creek  Church  road,  a  distance  of  about  4  miles. 

Directly  in  front  of,  or  south  of  Mr.  Robinson's  beautiful  locality,  lie  the  very 
pretty  grounds  of  Mrs.  R.  S.  Wood,  consisting  of  40  acres.  The  two  must  be 
inseparable  should  the  Robinson  site  be  selected  for  a  Presidential  mansion.  They 
are  valued  at  about  $1,000  per  acre,  not  including  the  improvements.  The  two 
places  can  probably  be  purchased  for  $150,000.  Mrs.  Wood's  tract  joins  Harewood 
on  the  south,  and  on  the  west  that  of  the  Military  Asylum.  The  lands  of  the 
latter  do  not  belong  to  the  Government,  but  are  in  trust  for  the  old  soldiers,  and 
contain  some  218  acres.  A  reference  to  the  map  will  show  the  honorable  commit- 
tee the  peculiarly  attractive  features,  both  of  position  and  general  convenience  of 
access,  offered  by  the  locality  described  above,  containing  in  all  about  114  acres, 
sufficient  for  the  necessary  purposes  of  embellishment  and  utility;  and,  lying  con- 
tiguous to  the  already  ornamented  grounds  of  Harewood  and  the  Military  Asylum, 
enjoying  all  the  charms  and  advantages  of  those  delightful  places,  it  would  be 
difficult  indeed  to  find  a  spot  more  admirably  adapted  as  a  retired,  pleasant  home 
for  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

A  talile  of  distances  from  the  Capitol  and  Executive  Mansion  to  prominent 
points  of  interest  is  also  added  for  the  information  of  the  committee. 


120  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Table  of  distances. 


To  Mrs.  Hobbie's,  (southern  limit  of  proposed  park) 
Residences  of  General  Walbridge  and  Mr.  Brown... 

Pierce's  mill 

Residence  of  Mr.  Blagden _. 

Fort  Stevens  (northern  limit  of  proposed  park) 

Meridian  Hill 

Metropolis  View - 

Residence  of  Mr.  Robinson  

Residence  of  Mrs.  Wood  . 

Entrance  to  Harewood 

Entrance  to  Old  Soldiers'  Home 


From 

From 

Execu- 

Capitol. 

tive 

Mansion. 

Miles. 

Miles. 

3i 

3 

31 

3 

41 

4 

41 

3* 

5J 

5i 

3 

li 

2i 

3 

3f 

4 

3i 

3f 

3 

3i 

4 

3i 

In  concluding  this  report,  I  would  respectfully  suggest  to  your  honorable  com- 
mittee the  necessity  of  commencing  the  construction  of  the  national  park  as  soon 
as  practicable.  It  is  a  grand  and  beautiful  undertaking  and  should  be  prosecuted 
with  the  greatest  energy.  A  sufficient  appropriation  for  inclosing  the  grounds 
purchased,  for  improving  and  keeping  in  repair  the  drives  and  walks  already  con 
structed,  and  for  the  laying  out  of  others  should  be  made.  For  this  purpose 
$100,000  would  be  sufficient  for  present  expenditures, 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

N.  MiCHLER, 

Major  of  Engineers,  Brevet  Brigadier-General,  U.  S.  A. 
Hon.  B.  Gratz  Brown, 

Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Public  Buildings  and  Grounds, 

United  States  Senate. 

Note. — As  an  appendix  to  this  report  Major  Michler  incorporated  certain  re- 
marks "on  the  vegetation  o^  the  District  of  Columbia,"  by  Dr.  Arthur  Schott. 


Appendix  B. 

[S.  549.    Thirty-ninth  Congress,  second  session.] 
In  the  Senate  of  the  United  States, 

January  28, 1867,  Mr.  Brown  asked,  and  by  unanimous  consent  obtained,  leave  to 
bring  in  the  following  bill;  which  was  read  twice,  referred  to  the  L'ommittee  on 
Public  Buildings  and  Grounds,  and  ordered  printed. 

February  13,  18G7. — Reported  by  Mr.  Brown  with  an  amendment,  viz,  etc, 

A  BILL  for  the  establishment  and  maintenance  of  a  public  park  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 
[Copy  of  the  bill  as  amended  and  passed  in  the  Senate.] 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  of 
America  in  Congress  assembled,  That  a  tract  of  land  in  the  District  of  Columbia, 
along  and  adjacent  to  Rock  Creek,  embraced  within  the  limits  and  designations 
of  the  survey  made  by  Brigadier-General  N.  Michler,  under  the  order  of  the  Sec- 
retary of  War,  in  pursuance  of  a  Senate  resolution  of  July  eighteen,  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  sixty-six,  and  conforming  in  its  boundaries  as  near  as  may  be  deemed 
expedient  by  the  commission  hereinafter  established  to  the  projected  boundary 
lines  of  the  park  designated  in  said  survey  (which  survey  and  plat,  approved  by 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  121 

the  Committees  on  Public  Buildings  and  G-rounds  of  the  Senate  and  House  of 
Representatives,  and  so  indorsed,  is  hereby  directed  to  be  deposited  in  the  custody 
of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior) ,  shall  be  purchased  by  the  United  States  for  the 
purposes  of  a  public  j^ark,  free  to  all  persons  under  such  regulations  as  to  police 
and  government  as  may  by  proper  authority  be  established. 

Sec.  2.  And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  such  purchase 
of  the  ground  inclosed  within  the  designated  survey,  a  commission  is  hereby  con- 
stituted consisting  of  Brevet  Major-General  M.C.Meigs,  Brigadier  General  N. 

Michler,  and  ,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  negotiate  with  the  owners  and 

receive  written  proposals  for  the  sale  to  the  United  States  of  their  respective 
tracts  of  land,  or  of  so  many  of  such  tracts  or  such  parts  of  the  same  as  said  com- 
missioners find  can  be  had  upon  reasonable  terms,  and  as  they  may  deem  neces- 
sary or  desirable  for  the  purposes  of  a  public  park. 

Sec.  3.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  said  commissioners,  any  two  of  whom 
shall  be  competent  to  act,  shall  make  report  to  the  next  Congress,  as  soon  as  prac- 
ticable after  its  commencement,  of  their  action  in  carrying  out  the  provisions  of 
this  act,  setting  forth  in  detail  all  the  agreements  for  purchase  entered  into  by 
them,  the  boundaries  and  estimated  value  of  all  tracts  that  may  be  necessary  to 
condemn  in  consequence  of  the  failure  to  come  to  any  agreements,  and  what  por- 
tions, if  any.  may  be  omitted  from  such  survey  for  a  park  without  detracting 
materially  from  its  advantages. 

Sec.  4.  And  he  it  further  enacted.  That  all  agreements  and  negotiations  herein 
provided  for  or  authorized  on  the  part  of  said  commissioners,  in  the  name  and 
behalf  of  the  United  States,  shall  be  made  subject  to  the  approval  of  Congress, 
and  shall  in  no  wise  bind  the  United  States  unless  so  approved. 

(Senate  bills  of  the  United  States,  Thirty-ninth  Congi-ess.) 


Appendix  C. 

rock  creek  park. 

June  24,  1886. 

Sir:  Pursuant  to  the  letter  of  the  4th  instant  of  the  clerk  of  the  Senate  Com- 
mittee for  the  District  of  Columbia,  referring  to  the  Commissioners  for  their  con- 
sideration Senate  bill  No.  2584,  which  authorizes  the  appropriation  of  lands  in 
the  valley  of  Rock  Creek  for  the  purposes  of  a  public  park,  the  Commissioners 
beg  to  state  that  they  have  gathered  such  information  as  was  available  in  relation 
to  the  quantity  and  value  of  the  land  involved,  and  forward  herewith  a  general 
plat  and  schedule  exhibiting  this  information. 

The  plat  as  drawn  shows  a  park  1,000  feet  in  width  from  Lyon's  Mills,  on  Rock 
Creek,  to  the  boundary  of  the  District.  The  quantity  of  land  is  919  acres,  and  its 
valuation  upon  the  assessor's  books,  with  the  improvements  thereon,  is  $109,320. 
Should  Congress  decide  to  proceed  further  in  this  matter,  important  modifications 
would  be  made  in  the  plan  by  a  careful  consideration  of  the  topography  of  the 
several  portions  of  the  proposed  park.  No  uniform  width  need  be  adhered  to. 
Where  the  banks  are  steep  only  such  acreage  would  be  required  as  would  suffice 
to  control  the  crest  and  slopes  and  provide  for  the  construction  of  suitable  drives. 
Where  the  elevations  lie  more  remote  from  the  banks  of  the  stream  a  greater 
width  would  be  requisite.  It  is  probable  on  the  whole  that  a  considerably  less 
acreage  than  that  given  would  be  necessary,  while  on  the  other  hand  the  assess- 
ments for  condemnation  might  in  some  cases  considerably  exceed  the  valuations 
as  derived  from  the  books  of  the  District  assessor.  It  is  believed,  however,  that 
the  gross  amount  required  for  the  purpose  would  be  largely  reduced  by  the  will- 
ingness on  the  part  of  owners  to  dedicate  sufficient  of  their  holdings  to  answer 


122  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

the  requirements  at  least  of  the  needful  drives,  the  construction  and  openinj^  of 
which  would  immediately  and  greatly  enhance  the  value  of  all  adjacent  lands. 
The  project  of  the  proposed  park  is  one  that  meets  the  unqualified  and  earnest 
approval  of  the  Commissioners.  In  their  judgment  it  is  hardly  possible  to  foi'mu- 
late  another  that  would  be  in  every  respect  so  advantageous  and  advisable.  The 
valley  of  Rock  Creek,  while  nearly  worthless  for  occupation  or  settlement,  is 
extremely  picturesque  and  possessed  of  numerous  and  varied  natural  advantages, 
and  its  conversion  to  public  uses  will  secure  to  the  capital  a  park  and  drive  over 
7  miles  in  length  of  unrivaled  beauty. 

The  Commissioners  Vjelieve  that  at  some  time  in  the  future  favorable  action  in 
this  matter  will  certamly  be  had  and  that  advantage  should  be  taken  of  the  pres- 
ent wild  and  unimproved  condition  of  the  valley  to  secure  it. 

The  bill  appears  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  case,  and  the  Commissioners 
have  no  amendments  thereto  to  suggest  at  this  time. 
Very  respectfully, 

W.  B.  Webb,  President. 

Hon.  John  J.  Ingalls, 

Cliairvian  Ccmimittee  for  District  of  Columbia,  United  States  Senate. 

(Report  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  1887,  p.  55.  See 
also  p.  31.) 


Appendix  D. 

March  2, 186V. 

Mr.  Dibble.  A  parliamentary  inquiry! 

The  Speaker  pro  tempore.  The  gentleman  will  state  it. 

Mr.  Dibble.  The  question  I  desire  to  ask  is  whether  a  vote  "aye  "'now  is  an 
agreement  to  an  expenditure  of  $'200,000  for  a  zoological  garden,  reported  by  the 
Committee  on  Public  Buildings  and  Grounds? 

The  Speaker  pro  tempore.  That  is  the  pending  question.  The  gentleman  from 
South  Carolina  submitted  a  motion  to  the  House  that  the  House  recede  from  its 
disagreement  to  the  amendment  of  the  Senate  numbered  124.  appropriating 
$200,000  for  a  zoological  garden,  and  upon  that  question  the  gentleman  from 
Georgia  demands  the  3-eas  and  nays. 

The  yeas  and  nays  were  ordered.. 

The  question  was  taken;  and  it  was  decided  in  the  affirmative — yeas,  131;  nays, 
98;  not  voting,  94. 

So  the  House  receded  from  its  disagreement  to  the  amendment  of  the  Senate 
numbered  124,  and  the  act  passed  the  House,  including  a  provision  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  zoological  park. 

District  of  Columbia  act  for  1890  (Stat.,  XXV,  p.  808). 

"Sec.  4.  For  the  establishment  of  a  zoological  jiark  in  the  District  of  Columbia 
§200,000,  to  be  expended  under  and  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  following; 
that  is  to  say: 

"  That  iu  order  to  establish  a  zoological  park  in  the  District  of  Columbia  for  the 
advancement  of  science  and  the  instruction  and  recreation  of  the  people,  a  com- 
mission shall  be  constituted,  composed  of  three  persons,  namely,  the  Secretary  of 
the  interior;  the  president  of  the  Loard  of  Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia, and  the  Secretary  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  which  shall  be  known  and 
designated  as  the  commission  for  the  establishment  of  a  zoological  park. 

"  That  the  said  commission  is  hereby  authorized  and  directed  to  make  an  inspec- 
tion of  the  country  along  Rock  Creek,  between  Massachusetts  avenue  extended 
and  where  said  creek  is  crossed  by  the  road  leading  west  from  Brightwood  crosses 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    01     COLUMBIA.  123 

said  creek,  and  to  select  from  that  district  of  country  such  a  tract  of  land,  of  not 
less  than  100  acres,  which  shall  include  a  section  of  the  c-reek,  as  said  commission 
shall  deem  to  be  suitable  and  appropriate  for  a  zoological  park. 

"That  the  said  commission  shall  cause  to  be  made  a  careful  map  of  said  zoolog- 
ical park,  showing  the  location,  quantity,  and  character  of  each  parcel  of  private 
property  to  be  taken  for  such  purpose,  with  the  names  of  the  respective  owners 
inscribed  thereon,  and  the  said  map  shall  be  filed  and  recorded  in  the  public  rec- 
ords of  the  District  of  Columbia;  and  from  and  after  that  date  the  several  tracts 
and  parcels  of  land  embraced  in  such  zoological  park  shall  be  held  as  condemned 
for  public  uses,  subject  to  the  payment  of  just  compensation,  to  be  determined  bj' 
the  said  commission  and  approved  by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  provided 
that  such  corupensation  be  accepted  by  the  owner  or  owners  of  the  several  parcels 
of  land. 

"That  if  the  said  commission  shall  be  unable  to  purchase  any  portion  of  the 
land  so  selected  and  condemned  within  thirty  days  after  such  condemnation,  by 
agreement  with  the  respective  owners,  at  the  price  approved  by  the  President  of 
the  United  Sates,  it  shall,  at  the  expiration  of  such  period  of  thirty  days,  make 
application  to  the  supreme  court  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  by  petition,  at  a 
general  or  special  term,  for  an  assessment  of  the  value  of  such  land,  and  said  peti- 
tion shall  contain  a  particular  description  of  the  propertj'  selected  and  condemned, 
with  the  name  of  the  owner  or  owners  thereof,  and  his,  her,  or  their  residences, 
as  far  as  the  same  may  be  ascertained,  together  with  a  copy  of  the  recorded  map 
of  the  park;  and  the  said  court  is  hereb}-  authorized  and  reijuired,  upon  such 
application,  without  delay,  to  notif  j'  the  owners  and  occupants  of  the  land  and  to 
ascertain  and  assess  the  value  of  the  land  so  selected  and  condemned  by  appoint- 
ing three  commissioners  to  appraise  the  value  or  values  thereof,  and  to  return  the 
appraisement  to  the  court;  and  when  the  values  of  such  lands  are  thus  ascer- 
tained and  the  President  shall  deem  the  same  reasonable,  said  values  shall  be  paid 
to  the  owner  or  owners,  and  the  United  States  shall  be  deemed  to  have  a  valid 
title  to  said  lands. 

"That  the  said  commission  is  hereby  authorized  to  call  upon  the  superintendent 
of  the  Coast  and  Geodetic  Survey  or  the  Director  of  the  Geological  Survey  to  make 
such  surveys  as  may  1  e  necessary  to  carry  into  effect  the  provisions  of  this  sec- 
tion; and  the  said  officers  are  hereby  authorized  and  required  to  make  such  sur- 
veys under  the  direction  of  said  commission. 


Appendix  E. 

[House  Report  No.  386(5.     Fiftieth  Congress,  second  session.] 

January  36,  1889.- Committed  to  the  Committee  of  the  Whole  House  on  the  state  of  the  Union 

and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

Mr.  Hemphill,  from  the  Committee  on  the  District  of  Columlna.  submitted  the 
following  report  ito  accompany  bill  H.  R.  1'2136): 

The  Committee  on  the  District  of  Columbia,  to  which  was  referred  the  bill 
(H.  R.  12136)  "authorizing  and  establishing  a  public  park  in  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia,"' reports  that  it  has  had  said  bill  under  careful  consideration  and  recommends 
that  it  do  pass. 

By  this  bill  it  is  proposed  to  secure  a  tract  of  land,  not  exceeding  2,500  acres, 
along  the  line  of  Rock  Creek  and  in  the  -District  of  Columbia,  to  be  perpetually 
used  as  a  public  park. 

The  reservation  of  this  property  for  the  purpose  indicated  has  for  along  time 
been  under  consideration  by  Congress.  On  July  bS,  18()(').  a  resolution  was  passed 
by  the  Senate  instructing  its  committee  to  inquire  into  a  suitable  site  for  a  public 


124  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

park.  At  the  request  of  that  committee  Maj.  N.  Mitchler.  United  States  Engi- 
neers, submitted  a  report,  in  which  he  strongly  favored  the  purchase  of  the  prop- 
erty referred  to  in  the  pending  bill.  (See  Mis.  Doc,  second  session  Thirty-ninth 
Congress.)  The  Senate  committee  thereupon  reported  a  bill  (S.  549,  Thirty-ninth 
Congress)  for  the  acquisition  of  this  land,  but  it  failed  to  become  a  law. 

From  time  to  time  other  efforts  i)i  this  direction  were  made,  which  resulted  in 
bills  S.  2584,  Forty  ninth  Congress,  and  H.  R.  3328,  Fiftieth  Congress,  now  pend- 
ing and  having  the  same  object  in  view.  These  have  been  supplemented  by  the 
more  detailed  bill  now  before  your  committee. 

It  seems  unfortunate  that  the  earlier  endeavors  to  secure  these  lands  at  their 
then  trifling  value  did  not  result  in  their  purchase.  It  appears  to  be  universally 
agreed  that  such  public  parks  are  necessary  in  or  near  large  cities,  and  the  result 
has  been  that  practically  all  cities  of  consequence,  both  in  Europe  and  in  this 
country,  and  especially  all  capitals,  are  in  the  enjoyment  of  such  pleasure 
grounds. 

The  foresight  indicated  by  the  founders  of  this  capital  city  in  laying  out  broad 
avenues  and  reservations  has  been  already  amply  justified  by  the  harmonious 
development  of  these  advantages  by  persons  from  all  sections  of  the  country. 

The  present  condition  of  the  District  of  Columbia  and  its  evident  future  admon- 
ish us  that  provision  should  at  once  be  made  for  such  a  park  as  the  population  of 
a  large  and  prosperous  capital  city  demands. 

There  are  several  persuasive  reasons  why  the  pending  bill  should  pass,  and 
which  will  be  adverted  to  briefly. 

The  present  owners  of  the  bulk  of  the  lands  proposed  to  be  taken  have  held 
them  for  a  generation  or  more.  Several  fortunate  results  follow  from  this  con- 
dition of  things: 

(1)  These  owners  can  afford  to  sell  the  property  at  its  intrinsic  value,  and  with- 
out adding  the  profits  of  intermediate  speculative  purchasers,  but  each  passing 
year  must  increase  their  intrinsic  value. 

(2)  There  having  been  but  few  sales  there  have  been  but  few  trees  destroyed 
to  make  room  for  lawns  and  building  sites,  and  there  are  practically  no  costly 
improvements  to  be  now  paid  for. 

(3)  The  extraordinary  natural  beauty  of  the  proposed  park  has  thus  far  been 
preserved,  but  its  subdivision  and  the  subdivision  of  portions  of  it  would  undoubt- 
edly result  in  great  injury  in  this  direction.  The  proposed  legislation  expressly 
secures  the  protection  of  the  trees  and  other  natural  attractions  in  the  park. 

(4)  Rock  Creek  drains  a  large  section  of  the  country  practically,  and  flows 
through  the  city  of  Washington.  If  residences  should  be  placed  along  its  banks 
the  sewerage  would  be  emptied  into  that  stream  and  necessarily  endanger  the 
health  of  this  city.  The  consequence  would  be  either  that  this  continuous  risk 
must  exist  or  that  this  picturesque  creek  must  be  covered  in  and  used  exclusively 
as  a  sewer. 

That  portion  of  the  creek  along  which  dwelling  houses  have  already  been  built 
is  now  an  open  sewer  flowing  through  the  city,  from  which  disagreeable  and  nox- 
ious odors  constantly  rise,  greatly  to  the  detriment  of  the  health  of  the  people 
along  its  banks,  and  to  the  injury  of  property  in  that  section;  and  in  the  opinion 
of  your  committee  the  time  is  near  at  hand  when  this  portion  of  the  creek  must 
be  covered  over  or  some  other  mode  of  protection  adopted,  at  a  cost  of  many  thou- 
sand dollars. 

The  preservation  of  both  banks  of  Rock  Creek,  as  proposed  in  the  pending  bill, 
will  at  once  avoid  this  danger  and  cost  and  preserve  the  existing  beauty  of  a  large 
territory.  Looking  at  this  measure  merely  as  a  practical  business  matter  it  seems 
to  be  wise.  Such  a  preservation  of  the  natural  beauties  of  a  section  so  near  the 
city  will  conduce  greatly  to  the  physical  as  well  as  the  moral  improvement  of  the 
people. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  125 

•'  It  is  certainly  the  most  economical  and  practicable  means  of  providing  all,  old 
and  young,  rich  and  poor,  with  the  greatest  of  all  needs,  healthy  exercise  in  the 
open  country."  In  the  passage  of  this  bill  by  Congress  nothing  more  will  be  done, 
and  in  fact  not  as  much  as  has  already  been  done  in  many  other  cities  of  this  and 
other  countries. 

In  the  report  of  the  park  commissioners  of  the  city  of  Boston  for  1886  it  is 
stated: 

' '  Twent J'' years  ago  there  were  but  two  well-advanced  rural  parks  in  America; 
now  there  are  more  than  twenty.  Every  city  that  was  then  at  a  parallel  stage  in 
the  discussion  of  a  x^ark  project  with  Boston  now  has  the  project  in  a  large  degree 
realized,  and  is  enjoying  the  profits  of  it.  *  *  *  London  and  Paris,  Brussels 
and  Liverpool,  have  each  in  a  generation  twice  doubled  the  area  of  their  rural 
recreation  grounds.  All  the  cities  of  the  British  Islands  thirty  years  ago  pos- 
sessed but  four  parks  adapted  to  rural  recreations;  they  now  hold  thirty,  as  large 
in  areaage  as  Franklin  Park  in  Boston. "" 

There  is  an  impression  with  some  that  the  civilized  world  has  been  swept  by  a 
ruinous  rage  for  parks;  but  not  an  instance  is  known  of  a  park  adapted  to  pro- 
vide rural  recreation  that  is  not  regarded  by  those  who  are  paying  for  it  as  well 
worth  all  it  has  cost.  No  city  possessed  of  a  rural  park  regrets  its  purchase.  Dur- 
ing the  last  year  New  York  City,  which  has  the  largest  and  costliest  experience  of 
park  making  of  any  city  in  the  world,  has  been  purchasing  land  for  six  additional 
parks,  averaging  600  acres  each  in  area.  Chicago  has  six  rural  parks,  in  each  of 
which  large  works  of  construction  have  been  completed,  and  are  found  valuable 
beyond  expectation. 

Even  smaller  cities  than  Boston,  such  as  New  Haven,  Bridgeport,  Albany,  Buf- 
falo, and  Montreal,  have  been  provided  with  rural  parks. 

The  city  of  Baltimore  paid  for  Druid  Hill  Park  $698,000;  and  it  has,  besides, 
four  other  smaller  parks. 

Fairmount  Park,  Philadelphia,  was  secured  at  a  cost,  in  round  numbers,  of 
§6,300.000. 

Central  Park,  New  York  City,  was  purchased  for  the  sum  of  $6,253,033.55.  The 
city  has,  in  addition,  thirty-eight  other  parks. 

In  Brooklyn,  Prospect  Park  was  acquired  at  a  cost  of  $3,919,370.70.  St.  Louis 
has  a  number  of  parks,  the  largest  of  which  was  purchased  for  the  sum  of  $849,- 
058.61.  The  total  acreage  of  parks  in  this  city  is  1,788.59  acres;  and,  though 
much  of  the  land  was  donated,  the  cost  of  same  amounts  to  $1,309,944.06  actually 
paid. 

The  ground  for  the  use  of  a  national  park  in  this  city  can  now  be  condemned  at 
a  reasonable  cost,  and  prompt  action  will  not  only  save  many  thousands  of  dol- 
lars, but  prevent  the  destruction  of  the  natural  beauties  of  the  country  along 
Rock  Creek,  which  are  second  to  those  of  no  other  locality  adjacent  to  any  city 
in  the  world. 

The  pending  bill  seems  to  provide  an  extremely  satisfactory  mode  of  acquiring 
title  to  the  land.  The  process  by  which  the  condemnation  is  effected  is  the  same 
as  that  adopted  by  Congress  in  respect  to  the  land  recentlj'  secured  as  a  Library 
site  near  the  Capitol.  Whatever  tjuestions  may  have  arisen  in  respect  to  pro- 
ceedings under  the  latter  bill  have  been  settled  by  the  general  term  of  the  supreme 
court  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  It  is  hoped  and  believed  that  the  same  satis- 
factory result  will  be  reached  in  the  proceedings  under  the  bill  now  under  con- 
sideration. 

Your  committee  recommend  that  the  blank  in  line  5,  section  7,  of  the  bill  be 
filled  in  by  inserting  the  words  "  fifteen  hundred  thousand,"  and  that  in  section  7, 
line  9,  alter  tne  word  act,  insert  -'as  also  for  the  maintenance  and  improvement 
of  said  park." 

As  thus  amended  the  committee  recommend  that  the  bill  pass. 


126  park  system  of  the  district  of  columbia. 

Appendix  F. 

[See  Statutes  at  Large  1889-1891,  Vol.  26,  pp.  492-495.] 
[Public— No.  297.] 

AN  ACT  authorizing  the  establishing  of  a  public  park  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 

Be  it  enacted  hy  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  of 
America  in  Congress  assembled.  That  a  tract  of  land  lying  on  both  sides  of  Rock 
Creek,  beginning  at  Klingle  Ford  Bridge,  and  running  northwardly,  following  the 
course  of  said  creek,  of  a  width  not  less  at  any  point  than  six  hundred  feet,  nor 
more  than  twelve  hundred  feet,  including  the  bed  of  the  creek,  of  which  not  less 
than  two  hundred  feet  shall  be  on  either  side  of  said  creek,  south  of  Broad  Branch 
road  and  Blagden  Mill  road  and  of  such  greater  width  north  of  said  roads  as  the 
commissioners  designated  in  this  act  may  select,  shall  be  secured,  as  hereinafter 
set  out,  and  be  perpetually  dedicated  and  set  apart  as  a  public  park  or  pleasure 
ground  for  the  benefit  and  enjoyment  of  the  people  of  the  United  States,  to  be 
known  by  the  name  of  Rock  Creek  Park:  Provided,  lioii-ever.  That  the  whole  tract 
so  to  be  selected  and  condemned  under  the  provisions  of  this  act  shall  not  exceed 
two  thousand  acres  nor  the  total  cost  thereof  exceed  the  amount  of  money  herein 
appropriated. 

Sec.  2.  That  the  Chief  of  Engineers  of  the  United  States  Army,  the  Engineer 
Commissioner  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  three  citizens  to  be  appointed  by 
the  President,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  be,  and  they  are 
hereby,  created  a  commission  to  select  the  land  for  said  park,  of  the  (quantity  and 
within  the  limits  aforesaid,  and  to  have  the  same  surveyed  by  the  assistant  to  the 
said  Engineer  Commissioner  of  the  District  of  Columbia  in  charge  of  public  high- 
ways, which  said  assistant  shall  also  act  as  executive  officer  to  the  said  commission. 

Sec.  ;!.  That  the  said  commission  shall  cause  to  be  made  an  accurate  map  of  said 
Rock  Creek  Park,  showing  the  location,  quantity,  and  character  of  each  parcel  of 
private  property  to  be  taken  for  such  purpose,  with  the  names  of  the  respective 
owners  inscribed  thereon,  which  map  shall  be  filed  and  rei'orded  in  the  pTiblic 
records  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  from  and  after  the  date  of  filing" said  map 
the  several  tracts  and  parcels  of  land  embraced  in  said  Rock  Creek  Park  shall  be 
held  as  condemned  for  public  uses,  and  the  title  thereof  vested  in  the  United  States, 
subject  to  the  payment  of  just  compensation,  to  be  determined  by  said  commis- 
sion, and  approved  by  the  President  of  the  United  States:  Provided,  That  such 
compensation  be  accepted  by  the  owner  or  owners  of  the  several  parcels  of  land. 

That  if  the  said  commission  shall  be  unable  by  agreement  with  the  respective 
owners  to  imrchase  all  of  the  land  so  selected  and  condemned  within  thirty  days 
after  such  condemnation,  at  the  price  approved  by  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  it  shall,  at  the  expiration  of  such  period  of  thirty  days,  make  application 
to  the  supreme  court  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  by  petition,  at  a  general  or  spe- 
cial term,  for  an  assessment  of  the  value  of  such  land  as  it  has  been  unable  to 
purchase. 

Said  petition  shall  contain  a  particular  description  of  the  property  selected  and 
condemned,  with  the  name  of  the  owner  or  owners  thereof,  if  known,  and  their 
residences,  as  far  as  the  same  may  be  ascertained,  together  with  a  copy  of  the 
recorded  map  of  the  park;  and  the  said  court  is  hereby  authorized  and  required, 
upon  such  application,  without  delay,  to  notify  the  owners  and  occupants  of  the 
land,  if  known,  by  personal  service,  and  if  unknown,  by  service  by  publication, 
and  to  ascertain  and  assess  the  value  of  the  land  so  selected  and  condemned,  by 
appointing  three  competent  and  disinterested  commissioners  to  appraise  the  value 
or  values  thereof,  and  to  return  the  appraisement  to  the  court;  and  when  the  value 
or  values  of  such  land  are  thus  ascertained,  and  the  President  of  the  United  States 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  127 

shall  decide  the  same  to  be  reasonable,  said  value  or  values  shall  be  paid  to  the 
owner  or  owners,  and  the  United  States  shall  be  deemed  to  have  a  valid  title  to 
said  land;  and  if  in  any  case  the  owner  or  owners  of  any  portion  of  said  land  shall 
refuse  or  neglect,  after  the  appraisement  of  the  cash  value  of  said  lands  and 
improvements,  to  demand  or  receive  the  same  from  said  court,  upon  depositing 
the  appraised  value  in  said  court  to  the  credit  of  such  owner  or  owners,  respec- 
tively, the  fee-simple  shall  in  like  manner  be  vested  in  the  United  States. 

Sec.  4.  That  said  court  may  direct  the  time  and  manner  in  which  possession  of 
the  property  condemned  shall  be  taken  or  delivered,  and  may,  if  necessary,  enforce 
any  order  or  issue  any  process  for  giving  possession. 

Sec.  5.  That  no  delay  in  making  an  assessment  of  compensation,  or  in  taking 
possession,  shall  be  occasioned  by  any  doubt  which  may  arise  as  to  the  ownership 
of  the  property,  or  any  part  thereof,  or  as  to  the  interests  of  the  respective  own- 
ers. In  such  cases  the  court  shall  require  a  deposit  of  the  money  allowed  as  com- 
pensation for  the  whole  property  or  the  part  in  dispute.  In  all  cases  as  soon  as 
the  said  commission  shall  have  paid  the  compensation  assessed,  or  secured  its  pay- 
ment by  a  deposit  of  money  under  the  order  of  the  court,  possession  of  the  i^rop- 
erty  may  be  taken.  All  proceedings  hereunder  shall  be  in  the  name  of  the  United 
States  of  America  and  managed  by  the  commission. 

Sec.  6.  That  the  commission  having  ascertained  the  cost  of  the  land,  including 
expenses,  shall  assess  such  proportion  of  such  cost  and  expenses  upon  the  lands, 
lots,  and  blocks  situated  in  the  District  of  Columbia  specially  benefited  by  reason 
of  the  location  and  improvement  of  said  park,  as  nearly  as  may  be,  in  proportion 
to  the  benefits  resulting  to  such  real  estate. 

If  said  commission  shall  find  that  the  real  estate  in  said  District  directly  bene- 
fited by  reason  of  the  location  of  the  park  is  not  benefited  to  the  full  extent  of  the 
estimated  cost  and  expenses,  then  they  shall  assess  each  tract  or  parcel  of  land 
specially  benefited  to  the  extent  of  such  benefits  as  they  shall  deem  the  said  real 
estate  specially  benefited.  The  commission  shall  give  at  least  ten  days'  notice,  in 
one  daily  newspaper  published  ]n  the  city  of  Washington,  of  the  time  and  place  of 
their  meeting  for  the  purpose  of  making  such  assessment  and  may  adjourn  from 
time  to  time  till  the  same  be  completed.  In  making  the  assessment  the  real  estate 
benefited  shall  be  assessed  by  the  description  as  appears  of  record  in  the  District 
on  the  day  of  the  first  meeting:  but  no  error  in  description  shall  vitiate  the  assess- 
ment: Provided,  That  the  premises  are  described  with  substantial  accuracy.  The 
commission  shall  estimate  the  value  of  the  different  parcels  of  real  estate  benefited 
as  aforesaid  and  the  amount  assessed  against  each  tract  or  parcel,  and  enter  all  in 
an  assessment  book.  All  j^ersons  interested  may  appear  and  be  heard.  When  the 
assessment  shall  be  completed  it  shall  be  signed  by  the  commission,  or  a  majority 
(which  majority  shall  have  power  always  to  act),  and  be  filed  in  the  office  of  the 
clerk  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  The  commission  shall 
apply  to  the  court  for  a  confirmation  of  said  assessment,  giving  at  least  ten  days' 
notice  of  the  time  thereof  by  publication  in  one  daily  newspaper  published  in  the 
city  of  Washington,  which  notice  shall  state  in  general  terms  the  subject  and  the 
object  of  the  application. 

The  said  court  shall  have  power,  after  said  notice  shall  have  been  duly  given, 
to  hear  and  determine  all  matters  connected  with  said  assessment;  and  may  revise, 
correct,  amend,  and  confirm  said  assessment,  in-whole  or  in  part,  or  order  a  new 
assessment,  in  whole  or  in  part,  with  or  without  further  notice  or  on  such  notice 
as  it  shall  prescribe;  but  no  order  for  a  new  assessment  in  part,  or  any  partial 
adverse  action,  shall  hinder  or  delay  confirmation  of  the  residue,  or  collection  of 
the  assessment  thereon.  Confirmation  of  any  part  of  the  assessment  shall  make 
the  same  a  lien  on  the  real  estate  assessed. 

The  assessment,  when  confirmed,  shall  be  divided  into  four  equal  installments, 
and  may  be  paid  by  any  party  interested  in  full  or  in  one,  two,  three,  and  four 


128  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

years,  on  or  before  which  times  all  shall  be  payable,  with  six  per  centum  annual 
interest  on  all  deferred  payments.  All  payments  shall  be  made  to  the  Treasurer 
of  the  United  States,  who  shall  keep  the  account  as  a  separate  fund.  The  orders 
of  the  court  shall  be  conclusive  evidence  of  the  regularity  of  all  previous  proceed- 
ings necessary  to  the  validity  thereof,  and  of  all  matters  recited  in  said  orders. 
The  clerk  of  said  court  shall  keep  a  record  of  all  proceedings  in  regard  to  said 
assessment  and  confirmation.  The  commission  shall  furnish  the  said  clerk  with  a 
duplicate  of  its  assessment  book,  and  in  both  shall  be  entered  any  change  made  or 
ordered  by  the  court  as  to  any  real  e::.tate.  Such  book  filed  with  the  clerk  when 
completed  and  certified  shall  be  prima  facie  evidence  of  all  facts  recited  therein. 
In  case  assessments  are  not  paid  as  aforesaid  the  book  of  assessments  certified  by 
the  clerk  of  the  court  shall  be  delivered  to  the  officer  charged  by  law  with  the 
duty  of  collecting  delinquent  taxes  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  who  shall  pro- 
ceed to  collect  the  same  as  delinquent  real  estate  taxes  are  collected.  No  sale  for 
any  installment  of  assessment  shall  discharge  the  real  estate  from  any  subsequent 
installment;  and  proceedings  for  subsequent  installments  shall  be  as  if  no  default 
had  been  made  in  prior  ones. 

All  money  so  collected  may  be  paid  by  the  Treasurer  on  the  order  of  the  com- 
mission to  any  persons  entitled  thereto  as  comjiensation  for  land  or  services. 
Such  order  on  the  Treasurer  shall  be  signed  by  a  majority  of  the  commission 
and  shall  specify  fully  the  purpose  for  which  it  is  drawn.  If  the  proceeds  of 
assessment  exceed  the  cost  of  the  park  the  excess  shall  be  used  in  its  improve- 
ment, imder  the  direction  of  the  officers  named  in  section  eight,  if  such  excess 
shall  not  exceed  the  amount  of  ten  thousand  dollars.  If  it  shall  exceed  that 
amount  that  part  above  ten  thousand  dollars  shall  be  refunded  ratably.  Public 
officers  performing  any  duty  hereunder  shall  be  allowed  such  fees  and  compensa- 
tion as  they  would  be  entitled  to  in  like  cases  of  collecting  taxes.  The  civilian 
members  of  the  commission  shall  be  allowed  ten  dollars  per  day  each  for  each  day 
of  actual  service.  Deeds  made  to  purchasers  at  sales  for  delinquent  assessments 
hereunder  shall  be  prima  facie  evidence  of  the  right  of  the  purchaser,  and  any  one 
claiming  under  him,  that  the  real  estate  was  subject  to  assessment  and  directly 
benefited,  and  that  the  assessment  was  regularly  made;  that  the  assessment  was 
not  paid;  that  due  advertisement  had  been  made;  that  the  grantee  in  the  deed 
was  the  purchaser  or  assignee  of  the  purchaser,  and  that  the  sale  was  conducted 
legally. 

Any  judgment  for  the  sale  of  any  real  estate  for  unpaid  assessments  shall  be 
conclusive  evidence  of  its  regularity  and  validity  in  all  collateral  proceedings 
except  when  the  assessment  was  actually  paid,  and  the  judgment  shall  estop  all 
persons  from  raising  any  objection  thereto,  or  to  any  sale  or  deed  based  thereon, 
which  existed  at  the  date  of  its  rendition,  and  could  have  been  presented  as  a 
defense  to  the  application  for  such  judgment. 

To  pay  the  expenses  of  inquiry,  survey,  assessment,  cost  of  lands  taken,  and  all 
other  necessaryiexpenses  incidental  thereto,  the  sum  of  one  million  two  hundred 
thousand  dollars,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  is  hereby  appropriated 
out  of  any  money  in  the  Treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated:  Provided,  That  one- 
half  of  said  sum  of  one  million  two  hundred  thousand  dollars,  or  so  much  thereof 
as  may  be  expended,  shall  be  reimbursed  to  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States  out 
of  the  revenues  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  in  four  equal  annual  installments, 
with  interest  at  the  rate  of  three  per  centum  per  annum  upon  tne  deferred  pay- 
ments: And  provided  further.  That  one-half  of  the  sum  which  shall  be  annually 
appropriated  and  expended  for  the  maintenance  and  improvement  of  said  lands 
as  a  public  park  shall  be  charged  against  and  paid  out  of  the  revenues  of  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia,  in  the  manner  now  provided  by  law  in  respect  to  other  appro- 
priations for  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  the  other  half  shall  be  appropriated 
out  of  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  129 

Sec.  7.  That  the  public  park  authorized  and  established  by  this  act  shall  be 
under  the  joint  control  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columbia  and  the 
Chief  of  Engineers  of  the  United  States  Army,  whose  duty  it  shall  be,  as  soon  as 
practicable,  to  lay  out  and  prepare  roadways  and  bridle  paths,  to  be  used  for 
driving  and  for  horseback  riding,  respectively,  and  footways  for  pedestrians; 
and  whose  duty  it  shall  also  be  to  make  and  publish  such  regulations  as  they 
deem  necessary  or  proper  for  the  care  and  management  of  the  same.  Such  regu- 
lations shall  provide  for  the  preservation  from  injury  or  spoliation  of  all  timber, 
animals,  or  curiosities  within  said  park,  and  their  retention  in  their  natural  con- 
dition, as  nearly  as  possible. 

Approved,  September  27,  1890.  ~"- 


Appendix  G. 

ROCK   CREEK   PARK — THE   AWARDS   REPORTED   TO   THE   COURT    BY  THE   APPRAISING 

COMMISSION. 

[Star,  December  19,  1S91.] 

The  Rock  Creek  Park  appraising  commission,  which  has  been  at  work  since  last 
July,  completed  its  task  this  morning  and  made  its  report  to  the  court.  The 
awards  made  by  the  commission  aggregate  §1,105,957. 

The  Government  has  already  paid  in  the  neighborhood  of  §240,000  for  tracts, 
the  owners  of  which  accepted  the  offers  made  by  the  managing  commission.  In 
round  numbers,  the  total  amount  represented  by  the  awards  made  to-day  and  the 
money  already  paid  is  §1,350,000. 

This  amount,  together  with  the  various  expenses  attending  the  proceedings 
concerning  the  park,  would,  it  is  estimated,  exceed  the  appropriation  of  §1,200,000 
by  §200,000  or  more.  The  report  of  the  commission  made  to-day  has  now  to  be 
confirmed  by  the  supreme  court  of  the  District. 

In  case  the  court  confirms  it,  it  will  go  to  the  President  for  his  approval  or  dis- 
approval.    His  approval  of  the  awards  completes  the  condemnation  proceedings, 

THE   PROCEEDINGS   IN   COURT   THIS   MORNING. 

A  special  session  of  the  court  in  general  term  was  held  at  11  o'clock  this  morn- 
ing for  the  special  purpose  of  hearing  the  report  of  the  appraising  commission, 
which  worked  until  nearly  midnight  making  the  final  comparison  of  figures. 

Chief  Justice  Bingham  and  .Judges  Cox  and  James  were  on  the  bench  this  morn- 
ing. Assistant  District  Attorney  Taggart,  Messrs.  Jere.  M.  Wilson,  T.  A.  Lam- 
bert, James  Coleman,  W.  Stone  Abert,  and  other  counsel,  and  a  number  of 
property  owners  were  present.  The  members  of  the  appraising  commission — 
Messrs.  Norris,  Burchell,  and  Seufferle— took  seats  at  one  of  the  counsel  tables, 
and  bad  a  pile  of  record  books,  maps,  and  documents  placed  on  another.  When 
the  court  opened  Mr.  Norris  rose,  and,  advancing  toward  the  bench,  took  from  his 
pocket  a  parcel  of  manuscript,  and  said: 

"The  commissioners  appointed  by  your  honorable  court  as  a  commission  to 
appraise  the  lands  selected  for  the  Rock  Creek  Park  have  performed  the  duty 
imposed  upon  them  to  the  best  of  their  ability,  skill,  and  judgment,  and  now 
hand  to  your  honorable  court  the  report  of  their  action  in  the  premises." 

Mr.  Norris  then  handed  to  Chief  Justice  Bingham  the  document  he  had  in  hand, 
and  then,  referring  to  the  maps  and  books  on  the  table,  said  that  the  com- 
mission turned  over  to  the  court  all  its  records,  including  fifteen  bound  volumes, 
the  briefs  filed  with  them,  and  the  maps. 

p  1—03 9 


130  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA 

THANKED   BY   THE   COURT. 

Chief  Justice  Bingham  consulted  a  moment  in  an  undertone  with  his  colleagues 
and  then  remarked,  addressing  the  commissioners: 

•  •  I  think  you  are  to  be  congratulated  that  your  arduous  duties  have  come  to  an 
end.  The  court  has  reason  to  believe  that  you  have  very  faithfully  discharged 
your  duties  and  are  entitled  to  the  thanks  of  the  community.  I  know  of  no 
further  duty  for  you  to  perform,  and  therefore  the  court  discharges  you  from 
further  service." 

There  was  a  brief  discussion  among  the  lawyers  and  the  court  handed  the 
report  to  the  clerk,  ordering  it  to  be  filed, 

Mr.  Taggart  called  attentirjn  to  the  fact  that  the  next  step  was  the  confirmation 
of  the  report  by  the  court,  and  gave  notice  that  he  would  in  proper  time  make  a 
motion  to  confirm  the  report. 

Counsel  for  property  owners  asked  that  a  time  be  set  for  hearing  the  motion  and 
objections  to  the  report,  and  it  was  finally  agreed  that  the  court  would  hear  the 
motion  on  January  4  next  and  that  meanwhile  objections  could  be  filed.  The 
court  then  adjourned. 

THE   AWARDS. 

The  report  of  the  commission  is  a  voluminous  document  of  60  foolscap  pages, 
closely  written.  It  sets  forth  in  due  legal  form  the  circumstances  attending  the 
appointment  of  the  commission  and  the  orders  of  the  court  respecting  the  sittings, 
and  then  announces  the  following  awards: 

Tract  No.  i.— Owners,  Glen  W.  Cooper,  Joseph  F.  Offutt,  Lizzie  Towns;  0.867 
acre;  valuation,  $217. 

Tract  No.  3. — Ownpr,  Henry  Brown;  1.347  acres;  valuation,  $337. 
'  Tract  No.  4-. — Owner,  Levi  Brooks;  1.141  acres;  valuation,  §285. 

Tract  No.  5. — Owner,  Thomas  Myrick;  2.976  acres;  valuation,  §1,945. 

Trad  No.  6'.— Owner,  John  H.  Mason;  2.106  acres;  valuation,  $1,463. 

Tract  No.  7. — Owner,  Simon  Hyson;  0.957  acre;  valuation,  $629. 

Tract  No.  S. — Owner,  Jane  E.  Mason;  1.080  acres:  valuation,  $1,450. 

Tract  No.  10. — Owners,  Lewis  Crutchfield,  Martha  Brent;  3.049  acres;  valua- 
tion, $1,700. 

Tract  No.  11. — Owner,  James  S.  Fenwick;  57.643  acres;  valuation,  $26,240. 

Tract  No.  13. — Owners,  Mary  Van  Riswick,  Martina  Carr,  Avarila  Lambert; 
12.748  acres;  valuation,  $5,480. 

Tract  No.  i^.— Owners,  Woodbury  Blair,  Gist  B'air,  Montgomery  Blair,  Mina 
Blair  Richey;  18.026  acres:  valuation,  $8,112. 

Tract  No.  15. — Owner,  Samuel  P.  Lee;  17.733  acres;  valuation,  .$9,980. 

Tract  No.  10. — Owners,  Mary  Van  Riswick,  Martina  Carr,  Avarila  Lambert; 
135,12J>  acres;  valuation,  $10,292. 

Tract  No.  17. — Owner,  Alida  Catharine  Brown;  221.47  acres;  valuation,  $83,051. 

Tract  No.  IS. — Owners,  The  Rock  Creek  Company  and  Henry  Wise  Garnett  and 
William  A.  Gordon,  trustees;  28.19  acres;  valuation,  §11,558. 

Tract  No.  JO.— Owner,  Andrew  C.  Bradley;  2.11  acres;  valuation,  $1,372. 

Tract  No.  ,?/.— Owner,  William  R.  RUey.  100.12  acres;  valuation,  §37,599. 

Tract  No.  23. — Owners,  Mary  E.  White,  James  M.  White,  Carrie  Madison, 
George  W.  White,  Robert  E.  L.  White,  Ida  xM.  White,  Sadie  L.  White,  Fannie 
A.  White;  71.380  acres;  valuation,  $21,584. 

Tract  No.  5'4.— Owner,  William  Frank  Eaton,  50.401  acres;  valuation,  $18,900. 

Tract  No.  S5.— Owner,  Douglas  F.  Forrest;  9.960  acres;  valuation,  $4,034. 

Tract  No.  £6.— Owner,  Augustus  Burgdorf;  25.239  acres;  valuation,  $10,790. 

Tract  No.  37. — Owner,  Eleanor  T.  Meeds;  20  acres;  valuation,  §9,750. 

Tract  No.  JS. — Owner,  Mary  F.  Henderson;  22.557  acres;  valuation,  $9,399. 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  131 

Tract  No.  ,?.9.— Owner.  Frederick  Bex:  32.036  acres:  valuation,  $13,309. 

Tract  Xo.  -JO. — Owners,  John  W.  Swan  and  David  M.  Davis;  8.008  acres;  valu- 
ation, $4,004. 

Tract  No.  31. — Owner,  James  M.  G-reen;  11.385  acres;  valuation,  $5,124. 

Tract  No.  3 J. — Owner,  Marian  A.  Ryan;  9.11  acres;  valuation,  $7,967. 

Tract  No.  33. — Owners,  Catherine  Freas,  Edwin  L.  Freas,  Allen  Freas,  Millard 
F.  Freas,  Levi  S.  Freas;  40.273  acres;  valuation,  $33,717. 

Tract  No.  34. — Owner,  Alexander  F.  Matthews;  3.010  acres;  valuation,  $1,731. 

Tract  No.  35. — Owner,  John  Saul;  2.081  acres;  valuation,  $1,562. 

Tract  No.  3G  {disputed  land). — Owners,  MaryE.  White,  James  M.  White,  Carrie 
Madison,  George  W.  White,  Robert  E.  L.  White,  Ida  M.  White,  Sadie  L.  White, 
Fannie  A.  White;  valuation, . 

Tract  No.  36  {disputed  land). — Owner,  John  R.  Dos  Passes:  6.540  acres:  valua- 
tion, $1,962. 

Tract  No.  37. — Owner,  John  R.  Dos  Passes;  71.497  acres;  valuation,  $32,171. 

Tract  No.  3S. — Owner,  John  R.  Dos  Passos;  71.527  acres;  valuation,  $41,328. 

Tract  No.  39. — Owner.  Pierce  Shoemaker;  245.408  acres;  valuation,  $207,041. 

Tract  No.  4r>.— Owner,  Elmer  E.  Gist;  1.522  acres;  valuation,  $2,440. 

Tract  No.  41. — Owners,  William  Sturbitts,  Isabella  Sturbitts;  1.484  acres;  valu- 
ation, $1,113. 

Tract  No.  JfJ. — Owner,  Cornelio  O.  Truesdell;  15.217  acres;  valuation,  $10,072. 

Tract  No.  4<?.— Owner,  John  R.  Dos  Passos;  0.758  acre;  valuation,  $223. 

Tract  No.  44' — Owner,  Pierce  Shoemaker;  0.240  acre;  valuation,  $168. 

Tract  No.  4-y-— Owner,  James  B.  Coit;  2  acres;  valuation.  $2,000. 

Tract  No.  40. — Owner,  Henrietta  B.  Cowperthwaite;  2  acres;  valuation,  $2,150. 

Tract  No.  J7.— Owner,  Annie  Lawrence;  1.337  acres;  valuation,  $2,111. 

Tract  No.  4S. — Owner,  Pierce  Shoemaker;  1.146  acres;  valuation,  $860. 

Tract  No.  40. — Owner,  Conway  Tibbs;  1  acre;  valuation,  $1,746. 

Tract  No.  i>ii. — Owner,  Eliza  D.  Barton;  3.624  acres;  valuation,  $3,443. 

Tract  No.  51. — Owner.  Helen  Davis;  2.859  acres;  valuation,  $2,716. 

Tract  No.  5^'. — Owner,  Ann  Hayes;  0.300  acre;  valuation,  $360. 

T  act  No.  53. — Owner,  Cornelia  G.  Jones;  0.353  acre;  valuation,  $424. 

Tract  No.  54. — Owner,  Aaron  E.  McLaughlin;  2.031  acres;  valuation,  $2,539, 

Tract  No.  55. — Owners,  Henry  Clark,  Walter  Clark,  and  Philip  Clark:  1  acre; 
valuation,  $3,361. 

Tract  No.  56. — Owner,  William  Watson;  4.956  acres;  valuation,  $5,952. 

Tract  No.  57. — Owner.  Samuel  M.  Jones;  4.885  acres;  valuation,  $4,902. 

Tract  No.  5S. — Owner,  Louisa  Knhn;  0.0009  acre;  vakiation  82. 

Tract  No.  .5''.— Owners,  Cliarles  Early  and  Frederick  W.  Pratt,  trustees:  4.914 
•acres;  valuation,  $8,845. 

Tract  No.  '/(■'.—Owners,  Charles  Early,  Charles  C.  Lancaster,  trustees;  2.605  acres; 
valuation,  $4,689. 

Tract  No.  01. — Owners,  Charles  Early,  Charles  C.  Lancaster,  trustees;  6.396  acres; 
valuation,  $11,513. 

Tract  No.  6.?. — Owners,  Joshua  K.  Brown,  W.  K.  Rannells.  C.  F.  Scott,  Sara 
McKeown,  A.  J.  McKeown.  Byron  McKeown,  James  McKeown,  Scott  McKeown, 
John  McKeown;  35.319  acres;  valuation,  $20,056. 

Tract  No.  03. — Owner,  Pierce  Shoemaker;  89.262  acres;  valuation,  $80,502. 

Tract  No.  04. — Owners,  Henry  R.  Porter,  Henry  F.  Douglas;  .51. 491  acres;  valu- 
ation, $32,182. 

Tract  No.  65. — Owner,  Charles  Dickson:  0.275  acre;  valuation,  $934. 

Tract  No.  66. — Owner,  Jane  Dickson;  0.259  acre;  valuation,  81,234. 

Tract  No.  68. — Owners,  Henry  R.  Porter,  Henry  F.  Douglas;  6.21  acres;  valua- 
tion, $4,192. 


13  i  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Tract  No.  GO. — Owner,  Pierce  Shoemaker;  5.194  acres:  valuation,  $4,319. 

Tract  No.  7').— Owner.  JohnW.  Willis:  5.515  acres:  valuation  $9,888. 

Tract  No.  71. — Owners,  Harriet  S.  Mathewson,  Arthur  Mathewson,  committee; 
1.779  acres;  valuation  $1,957. 

Tract  No.  72. — Owners,  Harriet  S.  Mathewson.  Arthur  Mathewson,.  committee, 
Laura  S.  Blagden  (life  tenant),  2.269  acres;  valuation,  .$3,723. 

Tract  No.  7-J. — Owner,  Thomas  Blagden;  14.107  acres;  valuation.  $14,812. 

Tract  No.  7^.— Owner,  Thomas  Blagden;  24,598  acres;  valuation,  $68,375.      ' 

Tract  No.  7.5.— Owner.  Pierce  Shoemaker;  15.612  acres:  valuation,  $16,306. 

Tract  No.  70. — Owner,  Pierce  Shoemaker;  3.023  acres;  valuation,  $3,919. 

Tract  No.  77. — Owner.  Pierce  Shoemaker:  5.525  acres;  valuation,  ,$4,973. 

Tract  No.  7S. — Francis  D.  Shoemaker:  6.682  acres:  valuation.  $15,369. 

Tract  No.  SI. — Owner,  Louis  P.  Shoemaker;  1.104  acres;  valuation,  $3,864. 

Tract  No.  83{Rosemount  Park) ,  lot  SS-L— Owner,  Bernard?.  Mimmack;  49,015.12 
square  feet;  valuation.  $8,333. 

Lot  SS-?. — Owners.  George  C.  Flenner,  Frederick  A.  Ellis.  Part  owned  by- 
George  C.  Flenner,  29,740.67  square  feet:  valuation,  §2,268.  Part  owned  by  Fred- 
erick A.  Ellis;  valuati6n.  $2,491. 

Lot  S3-S. — Owner.  John  E.  Thompson:  valuation,  $7,418. 

Lot  S3-Jf. — Owner,  Jaii;es  T.  Bradford;  40,871.28  square  feet;  valuation,  $5,314. 

Lot  S3-5. — Owner,  Isaac  Hazlett;  34,4C.0.29  square  feet;  valuation,  .$3,791. 

Lot  83-0. —Owner.  John  R.  Francis;  31,147.75  square  feet;  valuation,  $2,803. 

Lot  S3-7. — Owner,  Benjamin  P.  Davis;  23,142.06  square  feet;  valuation,  $2,314. 

Lot  S3-S. — Owner,  Sheldon  Jackson:  23,071  square  feet:  valuation,  $2, .538. 

Lot  83-0. — Owner,  Sheldon  Jackson;  18,683.12  square  feet;  valuation,  $2,242. 

Lot  83-10. — Owner.  James  A.  Shaw;  19,660.05  square  feet;  valuation,  $3,146. 

Lot  83-11. — Owner,  John  E.  W.  Thompson;  11,405.65  square  feet;  valuation, 
$2,053. 

Lot  83-1-'.— Owner,  Bernard  P.  Mimmack:  12,348.63  S(iuare  feet,-  valuation, 
$2,100. 

Lot  83-13. — Owner,  Bernard  P.  Mimmack;  12,355.26  square  feet;  valuation, 
$2,100. 

Lot  83-14. — Owner,  Henry  W.  Henshaw:  16.630.01  square  feet:  valuation,  .$2,994. 

Tract  No.  5^.— Owner,  Harvey  L.  Page;  6.68  acres;  valuation,  $44,184. 

Mrs.  Mary  Van  Riswick"s  dower  right  in  tracts  13  and  16  to  be  deducted  from 
the  given  valuation  of  said  tracts,  $3,098.42. 

Mrs.  Catherine  Freass  dower  right  in  tract  33  to  be  deducted  from  the  given 
valuation  of  said  tract,  $1,873.16. 

Mrs.  Annie  Lawrence's  dower  right  in  tract  47  to  be  deducted  from  the  valua- 
tion given  of  said  tract,  $301.53. 

Mrs.  Laura  S.  Blagden "s  life  estate  in  tract  72  to  be  deducted  from  the  given 
valuation  of  said  tract,  $453.84. 

Mrs.  Sarah  McKeown"s  dower  right  in  tract  62  to  be  deducted  from  the  given 
valuation  of  said  tract,  $1,668.83. 

Roads  condemned. 

Military  road,  ownership  in  it  being  claimed  by  John  R.  Dos  Passos, 
Pierce  Shoemaker's  representatives,  and  Mrs.  Annie  M.  Carpenter. . .  $2, 382. 35 

Klingle  Ford  road ...    ....  536.00 

Pierce  Mill  road: 

Eastern  portion .  866.00 

Middle  portion 663.00 

Western  portion .  _ , . 105. 00 

Abandoned 245.40 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  133 

Broad  Branch  road. $385.  20 

Blagden  Mill  road  _ .  . 367. 25 

Roads  in  Blagden  subdivision 120.50 

Road  A 153.60 

RoadB . 128.40 

RoadC  -. .- 65.10 

Roads  in  Shepherd's  subdivision  _ .  1, 068. 80 

Truesdell's  private  road 642. 75 

Rosemount  avenue  in  Rosemouut  Park . .  484. 00 

WORK    OF   THE   COMMISSION. 

The  commission,  Messrs.  James  L.  Norris,  George  J.  Seufferle,  and  Norval  W. 
Burchell,  entered  upon  their  duty  on  July  15  last,  and  before  taking  testimony 
spent  several  days  in  company  with  Captain  Leonard,  deputy  marshal,  and  the 
counsel  in  going  over  the  various  parcels,  taking  in  the  romantic  scenery,  viewing 
the  lines,  the  improvements,  etc..  July  16,  17.  18,  20,  21,  22.  2o,  and  24  being  thus 
occupied.  For  the  purpose  of  taking  testimony  the  circuit  court  room  was 
assigned  them,  and  quite  a  display  of  maps,  new  and  old.  were  the  principal 
objects  in  the  room.  Open  sessions  for  this  j)urpose  were  held  from  July  29  to 
October  30  with  the  exception  of  Saturdays,  and  when  the  testimony  was  all  in 
the  Saturdays  were  made  up  by  three  sessions  after  hours  often  till  11  or  12  o'clock 
at  night.  It  was  thought  at  first  that  the  work  would  be  completed  in  from  four 
to  six  weeks,  but  when  the  question  of  the  mineral  matter  was  brought  in  the  ses- 
sions were  not  onlj'  lengthened  out,  but  became  interesting  enough  to  attract 
large  numbers  of  citizens.  As  is  well  known,  the  court  in  general  term  excluded 
the  testimony  as  to  the  gold  and  the  commission  was  also  directed  to  omit  the  con- 
sideration of  a  number  of  parcels  to  which  the  Government  obtained  title  after 
they  entered  upon  their  duties.  The  last  week  the  commission  spent  after  their 
wrestle  with  16  volumes  of  testimony  was  not  ended  till  near  12  o'clock  last  night. 

PROPERTY   OWNERS  NOT  SATISFIED. 

After  the  report  was  filed  many  of  the  property  owners  or  their  representatives 
went  over  the  figures  and  as  a  rule  owners  expressed  dissatisfaction  with  the  sums 
named. 

A  number  of  owners,  however,  seemed  entirely  satisfied.  Mr.  R.  Ross  Perry, 
of  the  managing  commission,  before  knowing  what  the  awards  were,  thanked  the 
members  of  the  appraising  commission  for  the  faithfulness  with  which  they  had 
discharged  their  duties. 


Appendix  H. 

ROCK  creek   park — THE  COURT   IN  GENERAL  TERM  SUSTAINS  THE  ACTION  OF  THE 

COMMISSION. 

[Evening  Star,  May  9,  1893.1 

This  morning  in  the  court  in  general  term  Mr.  Justice  James  delivered  the  opin- 
ion of  the  court  in  the  case  of  the  United  States  against  Glenn  W.  Cooper  et  al., 
the  Rock  Creek  Park  case,  granting  the  petition  of  the  park  commissioners  for 
permission  to  pay  into  court  the  amount  of  awards  approved  by  the  President. 
The  court  also  decided  the  question  raised  as  to  interest,  announcing  that  it  had 
no  authority  to  allow  it. 

Mr.  T.  A.  Lambert,  representing  the  Shoemaker  and  Truesdell  interests,  gave 
notice  of  an  appeal  from  the  decision  of  the  court  to  the  United  States  Supreme 
Court. 


134  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

At  the  request  of  Mr.  R.  Ross  Perry,  representing  the  Government,  the  court 
granted  him  permission  to  prepare  the  necessary  order  as  to  the  cases  other  than 
Shoemaker  and  Truesdell'.s,  and  it  was  at  once  signed. 

By  this  decision,  it  is  held,  the  Government  at  once  acquires  title  to  the  tracts 
in  question,  the  owners  of  them,  in  order  to  obtain  the  amounts  awarded,  dealing 
entirely  with  the  court.  To  the  court  they  will  be  required  to  submit  their  title 
deeds,  and  on  their  approval  by  the  court  an  order  on  the  cleric  of  the  court  for  the 
money  due  them  will  be  issued  in  their  favor.  The  appeal  entered  by  the  Shoe- 
maker and  the  Truesdell  interests  will  have  no  effect  whatever  upon  the  cases  of 
the  other  owners. 

THE   DECISION   OP   THE   COURT. 

Justice  James,  after  reading  the  petition  of  the  commission  and  the  motion  to 
pay  into  court  the  awards,  said: 

"That  motion  and  petition  is  met  by  a  motion  on  the  part  of  certain  property 
owners  to  dismiss  the  petition  for  reasons  therein  stated  and  on  the  part  of  another 
party  by  a  demurrer.  The  general  proposition  set  forth  in  the  reasons  filed  with 
the  motion  to  dismiss  is  that  nothing  further  can  be  done  under  the  statute.  It  is 
ceded  by  the  commissioners  that  this  statute  must  be  regarded  as  a  finality,  and  that 
no  step  can  be  taken  either  by  themselves  or  by  the  court  or  by  the  President,  the 
validity  or  effect  of  v/hich  must  depend  upon  further  legislation.  If  it  is  not  prac- 
ticable and  lawful  to  secure  a  park  on  Rock  Creek  without  doing  some  act  which 
is  not  authorized  by  this  statute,  then  the  acquisition  of  a  park  is  not  authorized 
at  all.  It  is  insisted  on  the  part  of  the  owuers  of  some  of  the  parcels  which  the 
commissioners  now  propose  to  take  that  this  legal  impossibility  has  now  been 
ascertained,  and  that  their  authority  and  that  of  this  court  to  proceed  further  in 
the  premises  has  come  to  an  end.  We  understand  the  argument  to  be  substan- 
tially as  follows:  It  was  the  intent  of  the  legislature  that  the  land  shown  on  the 
recorded  map  was  the  thing  to  be  taken.  The  authority  to  take  applied,  there- 
fore, to  that  land,  and  to  neither  more  nor  less.  But  the  taking  of  that  land  is 
subject  to  a  condition  that  it  shall  be  obtainable  for  $1,200,000.  As  it  has  been 
conclusively  ascertained,  in  pursuance  of  the  statute,  that  the  only  taking  author- 
ized at  all  is  now  impossible,  there  can  be  no  taking. 

''  These  propositions  rest  upon  the  theory  that  this  statute  shows  not  a  general 
intent  that  a  park  should  be  established,  but  only  a  particular  intent  that  a  certain 
designated  tract  of  land  should  be  taken  for  a  park,  provided  it  could  be  had  for  a 
certain  price.  And  this  construction  of  intent  is  based  upon  the  contention  that 
the  recorded  map  was  intended  by  the  legislature  to  be  in  effect  its  own  designa- 
tion of  the  tract  to  be  taken;  so  that  the  statute  is  mandatory  to  the  effect  that 
precisely  the  quantity  of  land  shown  on  the  recorded  map  must  be  taken  as  an 
entirety.  This  we  understand  to  be  a  fair  statement  of  the  method  by  which  the 
conclusion  is  reached,  that  if  all  the  land  exhibited  on  the  recorded  map  can  not 
be  had  for  the  price  limited  by  the  statute,  then  nothing  further  can  be  done  in 
the  matter  of  a  park. 

"THE   INTENT   OF  THE  STATUTE. 

"It  is  observable  that  some  of  the  provisions  of  this  act  are  inartificially 
expressed,  but  when  all  of  them  are  considered  together,  as  of  course  they  must 
be,  the  intent  of  the  statute  is  unmistakable.  We  are  of  opinion  that  it  expresses, 
first,  an  absolute  intent  that  there  shall  be  a  park  on  Rock  Creek:  second,  that 
this  park  al)Solutely  provided  for  shall  not  exceed  a  certain  size  nor  cost  more 
than  a  certain  sum.  We  are  further  of  opinion  that  the  subsequent  provisions  of 
this  act,  notably  the  provisions  relating  to  the  recorded  map,  were  intended  to  be 
in  furtherance  of  the  intent  that  a  park  should  actually  be  secured,  though  within 
restrictions  as  to  size  and  cost,  and  were  not  placed  there  with  the  intent  that  they 
should,  upon  any  contingency,  operate  to  defeat  the  undertaking  entirely.     In 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  135 

Othei  words,  we  are  of  opinion  that  the  only  fair  and  reasonable  construction  of 
this  act  is  that  it  intends  that  a  park,  not  exceeding  2,000  acres  in  area  and  not 
costing  more  than  the  sum  which  Congress  appropriated  for  the  accomplishment 
of  that  purpose,  shall  actually  be  secured;  and  intends  also  that  the  provisions  of 
this  statute  shall  operate  as  the  means  of  accomplishing  that  end.  We  think  the 
processes  of  interpretation  and  construction  alike  support  this  conclusion. 

"The  first  section  of  the  act  provides  '  that  a  tract  of  land  lyin^-  on  both  sides  of 
Rock  Creek  *  *  ••"  of  a  width  not  less  at  any  point  than  fiOo  feet  nor  more  than 
1,200  feet,  including  the  bed  of  the  creek,  of  which  not  less  than  200  feet  shall  be 
on  either  side  of  said  creek  south  of  Broad  Branch  road  and  Blagden  Mill  road, 
and  of  such  greater  width  north  of  said  roads  as  the  commissioners  designated  in 
this  act  may  select,  shall  be  secured,  as  hereinafter  set  out,  and  be  perpetiially 
dedicated  and  set  apart  as  a  public  park  and  pleasure  ground  for  the  benefit  and 
enjoyment  of  the  people  of  the  United  States,  to  be  known  by  name  of  Rock  Creek 
Park:  Provided,  hoirever.  That  the  whole  tract  so  to  be  selected  and  condemned 
under  the  provisions  of  this  act  shall  not  exceed  2,000  acres,  nor  the  total  cost 
thereof  exceed  the  amount  of  money  herein  appropriated." 

"  The  appropriation  referred  to  is  made  in  the  following  words  of  the  sixth  sec- 
tion: '  To  pay  the  expenses  of  in(iuiry,  survey,  assessment,  cost  of  lands  taken, 
and  all  other  necessary  expenses  incidental  thereto,  the  sum  of  S1.2()0.000.  or  so 
much  thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  is  hereby  appropriated,"  etc. 

"  It  may  be  added  that  the  X\t\e  of  this  act  is:  "  An  act  authorizing  the  establish- 
ment of  a  public  park  in  the  District  of  Columbia.' 

"We  suppose  it  would  be  impossible  to  express  more  distinctly  an  absolute 
intent  that  a  park  should  be  established.  Unless  the  absolul  eness  of  the  authority 
given  b}^  the  broad  language  of  this  first  section  is  expressly  limited,  and  is 
expressl}'  or  necessarily  made  to  be  wholly  a  contingent  or  conditional  authority 
by  some  subsequent  provision,  it  must  be  held  to  be  the  fixed  and  controlling 
intention  of  Congress  that,  somewhere  within  the  limitations  of  area  and  cost,  a 
park  may  be  secured  by  the  commissioners. 

THE   DISCRETIOX   GRANTED. 

"  It  is  contended  on  the  part  of  some  of  the  owners  that  this  authoritv  to  take 
land  and  to  establish  a  park  is  reduced  to  a  conditional  authority  by  the  operation 
of  the  third  section,  which  relates  to  the  map  showing  the  parcels  of  land  to  be 
taken,  and  providing  that,  on  the  filling  of  that  map,  those  parcels  should  be  held 
'  condemned  "  to  be  taken.  It  is  insisted  that  the  designation  which  the  commis- 
sioners were  authorized  to  make  must  be  recorded,  when  made,  as  if  they  had  been 
originally  designated  in  the  act  itself.  This  contention  involves,  we  think,  a  con- 
fusion of  principles.  It  is  true  that  an  act  done  by  one  to  whom  authority  to  do 
it  has  been  delegated  has  the  same  validity  as  if  done  by  the  party  who  delegates 
the  authority,  and  that,  on  this  principle,  a  taking  of  private  property  for  public 
tise  by  one  who  is  authorized  by  the  legislature  to  select  and  take  said  land  is  as 
lawful  as  if  the  legislature  had  taken  it,  and  that  in  this  sense  the  taking  is  to  be 
regarded  as  done  by  the  legislature.  But  the  contention  in  this  case  is  to  the 
effect  that,  while  discretion  to  elect  between  several  courses  was  given  by  the 
legislature,  we  are  to  hold  that,  when  the  discretion  has  been  exercised  and  the 
election  has  been  made,  the  particular  choice  made  was  one  which  the  agent  was 
originally  commanded  to  make.  It  is  only  on  that  theory  that  this  statute  can 
be  supposed  to  say  to  the  commissioners:  "  It  is  our  intent  that  you  shall  take  only 
the  following  specified  tract  of  lands,  and  you  are  authorized  to  take  tliat  tract 
only  in  case  you  can  get  it  for  a  certain  price.' 

"  We  know  of  no  principle  on  which  an  accomplished  selection,  which  the  c mi- 
missioners  had  uncontrolled  discretion  to  make,  can,  bj-  this  sort  of  relation,  be 
constructively  put  into  the  statute  as  an  original  provision  to  the  eff3ct  that  they 
had  no  discretion,  but  had  only  authority  to  do  a  particular  thing;  that  is  to  say, 


136  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

authority  in  this  case  to  obtain  a  tract  made  up  of  all  the  parcels  shown  on  this 
map  and  to  obtain  neither  more  nor  less.  It  is  difficult  to  understand  how  the 
very  exercise  of  discretionary  power  should  work  a  limitation  of  the  original 
authority. 

THE   POWERS   OF   THE  COMMISSION. 

' '  Another  ground  of  objection  is  that  the  selection  shown  by  the  recorded  map 
constitutes,  at  all  events,  a  case  of  exhausted  power;  that  the  commissioners  have 
define  1  and  '  located.'  once  for  all,  a  park  site,  and  now  have  no  further  power  of 
selection  or  alteration  of  that  location. 

"  If  this  were  a  correct  conclusion  we  should  have  before  us  a  specimen  of  legis- 
lation Without  parallel.  The  statute  authorizes  considerable  expenditures  out  of 
the  appropi'iation  to  be  made  before  it  can  be  ascertained  that  the  whole  of  the 
lands  shown  on  the  map  can  not  be  had  for  the  money  appropriated.  Many 
months  must  inevitably  be,  as  in  fact  they  have  been,  consumed  in  ascertaining 
the  values  of  these  parcels.  And  yet  it  is  contended  that  if  it  should  appear  by 
the  appraisement,  after  all  these  expenditures  out  of  the  appropriation,  especially 
after  some  of  the  lands  had  been  purchased  and  paid  for,  that  the  commissioners 
had  placed  on  the  recorded  map  more  lands  than  the  appropriation  would  pay  for  it 
was  the  intent  of  the  legislature  that  thereupon  the  authority  of  the  commissioners 
should  end  and  the  whole  undertaking  should  come  to  naught.  Is  this  a  reasonable 
construction  of  the  statute?  The  second  section  provides  for  -a  commission  to 
select  the  land  for  said  park,  of  the  quantity  and  within  the  limits  aforesaid.' 
namely,  within  the  limits  of  2,00n  acres  and  ^l  .200.000  of  cost.  Is  it  to  be  supposed 
that  this  general  power  of  selection  was  intended  to  lie  exhausted  by  one  selection 
if  it  should  appear  that  the  selection  first  made  could  not  be  wholly  carried  out  by 
purchase?  Authority  to  select  the  land  for  a  park  was  given  in  order  that  there 
might  be  a  park  and  in  order  that  the  lands  selected  should  be  suitable  for  that 
purpose.  It  was  given  in  order  that  an  important  end  might  be  achieved.  Would 
it  be  reasonable  to  hold  that  authority  to  reach  this  end  was  exhausted  by  one 
effort  to  reach  it?  No  such  rule  of  exhausted  power  is  applied  by  the  courts 
even  to  a  first  location  of  a  railroad  line  if  the  second  location  does  not  amount  to 
an  attempt  to  construct  a  road  that  has  not  been  authorized;  but  if  it  had  been 
actually  so  applied  we  should  hold  that  this  theory  of  exhausted  power  was  not 
applicable  to  this  statute.  Rules  of  construction  are  sometimes  spoken  of  as  if 
there  were  actual  rules  of  law  bj'  which  the  meaning  and  intent  of  statutes  are  to 
be  ascertained:  l>ut  there  are  no  such  restrictions  upon  construction.  The  intent 
of  this  statute  can  be  gathered  from  its  own  provisions  and  from  its  special  pur- 
poses, and  we  find  nothing  in  these  provisions  or  purposes  which  indicate  that 
the  authority  of  these  commissioners  is  limited  to  a  single  exercise  of  discretion. 

"  It  was  from  the  beginning  in  contemplation  of  this  act  that  they  might  find 
when  their  selections  came  to  be  appraised  that  they  could  not  obtain  all  of  the 
selected  lands  for  the  amount  of  the  appropriation.  We  hold  that  it  was  therefore 
in  contemplation  of  this  act  that  in  order  that  they  might  accomplish  the  general 
intent  of  the  statiite.  which  it  was  their  business  to  subserve,  they  should  have 
authority  to  amend  their  work  by  abandoning  such  parcels  as  they  were  not  author- 
ized by  the  appropriation  to  purchase.  We  think  the  selection  which  they  now 
present  to  us.  with  the  approval  of  the  President,  conforms  strictly  to  the  intention 
of  the  act.  It  is  therefore  ordered  that  the  motion  to  pay  the  money  into  the  regis- 
try, etc.,  be  granted. 

"THE  QUESTION   OF   INTEREST. 

"The  other  question  as  to  interest,  we  think,  stands  upon  these  principles.  There 
is  no  statute  which  applies  to  the  Government  as  to  interest.  The  statute  relating 
to  interest  is  intended  to  apply,  like  all  such  statutes,  only  to  the  people,  and  we 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  137 

have  no  statute,  therefore,  to  go  by  giving  ns  the  right  to  charge  the  Government 
with  interest  upon  these  appraisements  as  upon  a  debt,  nor  are  we  the  court  that 
can  charge  the  Government  with  an  indebtedness,  whether  of  principal  or  of  inter- 
est. Then,  as  to  the  ground  of  equity,  it  is  only  when  there  is  an  indebtedness  and 
an  unreasonable  delay  in  paying  it  that  it  would  be  proper  for  us  on  grounds  of 
equity  to  charge  interest.  This  has  been  a  continuous,  although  a  sornewhat  long, 
proceeding,  and  in  contemplation  of  law  it  can  not  be  said  that  there  has  been 
delay,  because  there  has  been  no  break,  no  postponement,  and  if  there  has  been 
any  great  delay  or  postponement  it  has  been  caused,  as  we  understand  and  have 
been  advised,  by  the  resistance  of  the  owners  of  the  property.  Therefore  we  have 
neither  the  legal  power  to  charge  the  Government  with  interest,  becaitse  there  is 
no  statute  to  that  effect,  nor  have  we  the  i50\ver  to  treat  it  as  a  debt  before  this  con- 
firmation after  final  proceedings,  because  the  statute  does  not  apply  to  the  Gov- 
ernment in  any  case,  nor  would  we  find  equitable  ground  for  allowing  interest, 
because  it  has  not  been  caused  by  iDOstponement  on  the  part  of  the  Government. 
Interest,  therefore,  can  not  be  allowed  by  order  of  this  court,  and  that  leaves  the 
whole  fund  to  be  disposed  of  as  a  fund  made  up  of  the  valuations  of  the  property. 
The  order  will,  therefore,  conform  to  the  principles  of  this  opinion.'" 


Appendix  I. 

Washinciton,  D.  C.  December  15,  1S99. 
Col.  H.  F.  Blount, 

Chairman  Committee  on  Parka  and  Reservations, 

Washington  Board  of  Trade. 

Dear  Sir:  In  response  to  the  general  desire  of  our  committee.  I  have  prepared 
the  accompanying  map  to  illustrate  our  project  of  park  development,  which  has 
three  definite  objects,  all  closely  related.  The  first  of  these  is  provision  for  full 
communication  with  park  system  from  the  western  part  of  the  city  lying  west  of 
Rock  Creek — now  wholly  cut  off  from  the  laarks.  The  second  is  the  establishment 
of  communication,  bj'  way  of  a  park  drive,  between  the  Zoo  and  Rock  Creek 
parks  and  the  newly  reclaimed  Potomac  Park.  The  third,  and  most  important  of 
all,  is  the  reclamation  of  the  lower  Rock  Creek  Valley  from  the  condition  of  a 
most  hideously  unsightly  dumping  ditch,  the  extension  of  the  park  southward  to 
Q  or  P  street,  and  the  provision  for  the  best  entrance  to  the  parks  for  at  least 
two-thirds  of  the  population  of  the  city. 

Together  with  the  map.  I  wish  to  submit  a  brief  explanation.  The  scheme  in 
its  essentials  is  the  same  which  I  drew  up  at  the  request  of  the  exectitive  commit- 
tee of  the  Board  of  Trade  some  ten  years  ago,  but  in  that  period  obviously  advan- 
tageous modifications  have  suggested  themselves,  demanded  by  a  thoroughly 
comi^rehensive  treatment  of  the  whole  problem. 

From  the  Zoo  to  P  street,  or  at  least  to  Q  street  (the  latter  in  the  event  of  the 
adoption  of  my  suggestion  for  diversion  of  the  stream),  the  entire  low  part  of  the 
valley  should  be  included  in  the  park,  together  with  the  beautiful  tributary  valley 
running  up  back  of  the  Oak  Hill  Cemetery  as  far  as  the  eastern  limits  of  '■  Clif- 
ton " — the  Elverson  place.  Together  with  this  latter  valley,  the  snperbly  situated 
property  known  as  the  Boyce  place,  between  Lover's  Lane  and  Oak  Hill  Ceme- 
tery, and  fronting  on  L"  street,  should  beyond  all  question  be  included,  as  the  one 
place  now  left  of  all  the  large  estates  on  Georgetown  Heights  which  can  possibly 
be  obtained  as  a  park  for  the  people,  and  especially  for  the  younger  children  of 
the  western  section.  Nothing  of  the  sort  exists  in  that  large  area  west  of  the 
creek,  and  in  the  general  development  of  our  great  capital  city  the  lack  of  fore- 
sight of  the  old  founders  of  Georgetown  should  now  be  corrected  before  it  be  too 
late.     Another  and  most  important  reason  for  taking  in  the  Boyce  place  is  the 


138 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


Secfwt  ^toifin^  proposed  hvafme/if  ef  Rock  Crtek  i^alfey  fh>m  khsa. 
'    ~    '   B7th.aniji.Stz.-wifhQlijecfofprovi(finqafowgrade,-iato^sfructc!f 

■cerf/on  wffh Zqo  Of  d  RocM  Creek  Porfa,-  under  a// tndycs,  wfh 

tpectfve/y,  io^cffter  <^fth  the  elimination  afalf  unsighHy 

Tnd  M-/M  provision  for  eittrvJ^  utol>S*ruCt*d  ouffloift  <^Ony 


I 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  139 

perfect  ease  with  which  the  noblest  entrance  to  the  park  system  now  possible 
could  be  made,  by  adjusting  within  this  property  an  entrance  road  running  ver- 
tical to  U  street  for  some  four  or  five  hundred  feet,  with  trees  fornjing  a  vista  on 
either  side,  and  then  winding  b}^  a  reversed  curve  down  into  the  avenue  provided 
in  the  highway  extension  plans,  bordering  the  west  side  of  the  main  valley,  and 
also  into  the  extension  of  T  street  or  California  avenue  westward  directly  to  the 
Conduit  Road  at  the  distributing  reservoir.  This  plan  would  do  away  with  the 
proposition  to  simply  widen  the  Lover "s  Lane  as  an  approach  to  the  parks,  and 
with  it  would  obviate  all  need  for  heavy  tills,  which  would  utterly  ruin  the  pic- 
turesque character  of  this  remarkably  beautiful  spot.  I  submit  herewith  a  design 
made  at  my  request  by  the  architect,  Mr.  Walter  Peter,  for  the  treatment  of  the 
U  street  front  of  the  Boyce  j^lace.  In  this  sketch  he  has  undoubtedly  risen  to  the 
height  of  his  inspiring  subject,  and  his  use  of  low  stone  wall  and  ornamental  iron 
work,  and  superb  gateway  in  the  center,  would  make  a  setting  and  a  frame  for 
this  most  beautiful  approach  to  the  park,  which  in  Boston  or  other  progressive 
cities  would  have  long  since  been  secured  forever  for  the  public  good. 

To  digress  for  a  moment  from  my  main  subject,  I  would  say  that  the  sugges- 
tion has  been  made  that  it  might  not  be  a  bad  idea  to  utilize  the  unused  high- 
service  reservoir  at  JJ  and  Thirty-Second  streets  as  an  outlook  x>ark,  from  whose 
great  height  and  commanding  location  views  of  great  beauty  may  be  had  in  many 
directions,  chieflj'  of  the  river. 

The  proposed  park  above  P  street  would  naturally  be  limited  on  the  west  by  Oak 
Hill  Cemetery  and  the  projected  road  indicated  in  the  highway  plans,  as  shown  on 
sketch,  and  on  the  east  by  the  Belmont  road  in  Kalorama  and  the  Waterside  drive 
in  Belair.  This  could  pass  in  the  rear  or  east  of  the  old  Lyons  mill,  which  should 
be  preserved  as  a  park  building  for  shelter  in  time  of  storms  and  as  a  relic  of  the 
older  times  of  the  District. 

Whether  or  not  the  suggestion  I  make  below  as  to  diversion  of  the  creek  at 
P  street  be  ever  adopted,  the  entire  low  valley  of  the  creek,  including  also  some 
50  feet  or  more  on  the  upper  level,  back  from  the  present  banks,  should  be  included 
in  the  park  system  and  treated  as  per  sectional  plan  on  accompanying  map.  The 
outer  level  spaces  and  the  slopes  should  be  planted  \vith  quick-growing  trees  and 
shrubbery,  and  all  raw  places  covered  with  verdure,  terracing  wherever  neces- 
sary to  secure  stability.  A  low  retaining  wall,  solidly  built,  not  over  15  feet  in 
height  above  the  water  line,  should  follow  the  entire  east  line  from  P  to  Twenty- 
seventh  street,  and  within  the  space  between  it  and  the  foot  of  the  slope  and  on 
top  of  the  existing  Rock  Creek  intercepting  sewer  a  broad  roadway  should  be  made, 
with  part  of  it  as  footpath  on  the  top  of  the  wall.  This  roadway  should  be  for  the 
use  of  carriages  and  automobiles,  but  for  no  business  traffic  whatever.  A  line  of 
public  automobiles,  running  at  regular  intervals,  at  a  low  rate  of  fare,  and  reached 
by  easy  and  broad  stairs  from  M  street  and  P  street,  would  afford  an  ideal  means 
of  access  to  the  upper  and  lower  park  system.  The  grade  all  the  way  is  naturally 
perfect.  No  grade  crossings  would  interfere,  as  the  road  would  pass  under  all 
streets,  which  could  be  bridged  wherever  necessary.  Great  speed  could  be 
attained  because  of  these  conditions,  and  nothing  to  obstruct  the  landscape,  such 
as  trolley  wires,  railroad  tracks,  etc.,  would  have  anyplace.  A  hedge  could  be 
planted  on  either  side  of  the  upper  level  spaces,  shutting  out  from  the  valley  all 
unsightly  views  of  rears  of  building  lots.  Why  throw  away  the  very  best  means 
of  entrance  to  the  parks  and  connection  between  the  upper  and  lower  system? 
Practically  all  sewage  is  now  removed  from  the  creek,  which  is  not  in  itself 
unsightly.  All  that  is  needed  is  the  reasonable  confinement  of  the  stream, practi- 
cally in  its  present  bed.  No  freshet  could  then  do  any  very  serious  damage.  No 
one  can  estimate  very  well  the  ultimate  volume  and  velocity  of  the  freshets  which 
fifty  years  from  now  may  come  down  that  valley,  whose  watershed  is  constantly 
changing  in  character  from  woodland  to  improved  and  smoothed  surface. 


140  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Ab  an  alternative  scheme  for  a  portion  of  the  line,  I  suggest  the  filling  up  and 
consequent  reclamation  of  the  entire  rectangle  north  of  O  street  and  south  of  Q, 
west  of  Twenty-second  and  east  of  a  direct  extension  of  Twenty-fourth  street, 
effected  by  bringing  the  creek  in  open  cut  from  Q  street  to  O  street  by  an  easy 
curve,  tangent  at  each  end  to  the  northern  and  southern  reaches,  eliminating  the 
needless  reversed  curve  now  cutting  so  deeply  to  the  southeastward  at  O  street. 
Twenty-fourth  street  could  then  be  opened  almost  directly  to  Sheridan  Circle 
(abandoning  the  short  spur  of  Twenty-third  now  running  from  the  circle),  giving 
another  fine  high-grade  street  as  good  as  Twenty-second;  and  O  street,  by  means 
of  a  bridge  over  the  new  location  of  the  creek,  would  afford  a  perfect  solution  of 
the  present  problem  to  provide  a  good  highway  other  than  the  narrow  and  dan- 
gerous P  street  for  heavy  commercial  traffic.  A  bridge  of  light  construction  at 
Q  street  would  meet  the  needs  of  Georgetown  Heights  for  pedestrians  and  light- 
wheel  travel  on  the  highest  level.  This  scheme  provides  for  moving  the  P  street 
bridge  westward  several  hundred  feet,  i.  e.,  to  some  point  west  of  the  west  line  of 
Twenty-fourth  street  projected  northward,  the  exact  spot  being  determined  largely 
by  the  determination  of  the  line  of  break  between  solid  rock  and  the  filled  ground 
upon  which  P  street  now  is  built.  So  far  as  the  channel  for  the  creek  itself  is 
concerned,  it  is  probable  that  it  could  be  brought  through  solid  rock,  which  would 
afford  perfect  foundation  for  very  steep  retaining  walls  for  some  distance  north 
and  south  of  P  street;  the  abutments  themselves,  of  course,  being  carried  up 
directly  from  the  rock.  The  normal  type  of  improvement  could  be  resumed  as 
rapidly  as  possible  north  and  south  of  P  street,  dependent  on  the  depth  and  char- 
acter of  the  open  cut.  The  property  reclaimed  and  brought  to  grade  by  subse- 
quent fill  would  be  at  least  double  in  area  that  which  would  have  to  be  condemned 
for  this  cut-off.  Opportunity  would  here  be  presented  for  very  sightly  work,  the 
creek  and  the  roadway  following,  under  the  bridges  at  O,  P,  and  Q  streets,  a  fine 
sweeping  curve,  which  could  be  accentuated  by  the  treatment  of  the  retaining 
wall  and  approaches. 

Easy  pidehill  connecting  roads  can  be  built  down  to  the  driveway  from  various 
intersecting  streets,  the  vertical  drop  being  but  35  feet.  Iwenty-seventh  street 
provides  easy  communication  with  the  Potomac  Park  from  the  lower  end  of  this 
plan,  and  the  extreme  lower  end  of  Rock  Creek  should  be  given  over  to  commer- 
cial uses,  pure  and  simple. 

It  would  seem,  also,  that  no  other  general  plan  of  treatment  would  accomplish 
the  desired  result  with  such  a  measure  of  economy. 
Very  respectfully, 

Henry  B.  Looker. 


' 


SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS,  NO.  8. 


"MEN  ON  HORSEBACK." 


June  5,  1901. — Printed  for  the  use  of  the  committee. 


A  PAPER  OX  THE  EQUESTRIAN  STATUARY  IX  WASHINGTOX,  READ 
BEFORE  THE  COLUMBIA  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY,  BY  MR.  S.  H. 
KAUFFMANX,   OX  MONDAY  EVENIXG,  MARCH  11,  1901. 

Mr.  President,  Ladies,  and  Gentlemen:  In  compliance  with  the 
request  of  j^our  committee,  it  was  the  original  expectation  that  there 
should  be  presented  this  evening  some  account  of  equestrian  statuary 
in  the  United  States.  It  may  be  questioned  whether  or  not  a  paper  so 
comprehensive  in  its  scope  as  that,  and  covering  so  wide  an  expanse  of 
territory,  would  come  strictly  within  the  purview  of  a  society  pre- 
sumed to  be  rather  local  in  its  researches  and  general  range;  but,  quite 
aside  from  that  consideration,  it  soon  became  apparent  that  to  do  that 
subject  even  scant  justice  in  a  single  paper  to  be  read  in  one  evening 
would  be  too  great  a  tax  upon  the  patience,  if  not  upon  the  ph3^sical 
endurance,  of  any  audience.  Accordingly,  the  observations  offered 
at  this  time  will  be  restricted  to  the  monumental  structures  of  the 
class  referred  to  which  have  been  set  up  within  the  limits  of  the 
national  capital,  with,  however,  some  preliminary  reference  to  two 
examples  in  other  localities,  introduced  for  the  purpose  of  establish- 
ing the  historical  sequence,  or  rather,  perhaps,  the  order  of  preced- 
ence, in  works  of  that  class  on  the  Western  Hemisphere,  and  which,  I 
trust,  may  be  excused  for  that  reason. 

The  first  monument  of  this  order  put  up  and  now  existing  within 
the  limits  of  the  United  States — though  not  the  first  erected  on  this 
continent — was  unveiled  and  still  stands  in  this  city.  But  the  one  still 
standing  which  antedates  this  one  was  set  up  in  a  neighboring  coun- 
try and  in  honor  of  a  European  monarch  who  did  absolutely  nothing 
to  deserve  such  great  distinction.  It  is  an  effigy,  almost  colossal  in 
size,  representing  Charles  IV  of  Spain,  in  the  City  of  Mexico.  This 
group  was  modeled  b}^  a  citizen  of  that  cit}",  though  born  in  Spain, 
Don  Manuel  Tolsa  b}^  name,  and  was  cast  in  bronze  in  a  single  piece 
by  another  resident  Mexican,  Don  Salvador  de  la  Vega.     The  date  of 

141 


14:2  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

its  inauguration  was  the  9th  day  of  December,  1803,  when  after  many 
vicissitudes  of  fortune  which  well-nigh  resulted  in  its  complete  destruc- 
tion, it  was  unveiled  with  great  ceremony. 

Yet  oven  that  early  example  had  a  predecessor  of  its  class  on  this 
side  of  the  Atlantic,  although  the  pioneer  group  no  longer  exists. 
This,  the  lirst  equestrian  statue  ever  set  up  within  the  territory  now 
included  in  the  United  States,  or  indeed  anywhere  on  the  Western 
Hemisphere,  was  one  of  George  HI,  of  England,  which  formerly 
stood  in  the  reservation  called  Bowling  Green,  near  what  was  then 
known  as  Fort  George,  at  the  foot  of  Broadway,  in  the  city  of  New 
York.  There  it  was  dedicated  with  suitable  ceremony  on  the  21st 
day  of  August,  1770,  that  date  having  been  chosen,  it  was  stated, 
because  it  was  the  birthday  of  His  Majesty's  father,  Frederick,  Prince 
of  Wales. 

A  chronicler  of  the  times  gives  a  rather  quaint  account  of  the 
inaugural  proceedings  attending  the  unveiling  of  this  statue,  in  the 
following  words: 

On  this  occasion  the  members  of  His  Majesty's  Council,  the  City  Corporation,  the 
Corporation  of  the  Cliamber  of  Commerce,  the  Corporation  of  the  Marine  Society, 
and  most  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  city  and  Army  waited  on  his  Honor,  the  Lieutenant- 
Governor  Colden,  in  the  Fort,  at  his  request,  where  His  Majesty's  and  other  loyal 
healths  were  drunk  under  a  discharge  of  thirty-two  pieces  of  cannon,  from  the 
Battery,  accompanied  by  a  band  of  music. 

Another  writer  of  the  period  records  the  fact  that  this  was  the  first 
equestrian  statue  ever  made  of-  His  Majesty,  the  Third  George,  and 
adds  that  it  was  "the  workmanship  of  that  celebrated  statuary,  Mr. 
Wilton,  of  London," 

The  group  was  composed  of  lead,  but  was  said  to  have  been  so  richly 
gilded  as  to  present  somewhat  the  appearance  of  gold.  An  old  print 
of  the  statue  in  my  possession  shows  the  King  clothed  in  his  roj^al 
robes,  wearing  his  crown,  and  seated  upon  a  rather  clumsy  looking 
charger,  which  is  represented  in  the  act  of  rearing,  the  equipoise  of 
the  group  being  maintained  b}^  the  long  tail  of  the  horse,  which  rested 
firmly  on  the  pedestal. 

The  statute  stood  in  its  appointed  place  for  nearl}^  six  years,  or  until 
the  9th  day  of  July,  1776,  when  it  was  destroyed  by  the  soldiers  and 
patriotic  populace  of  the  city.  The  group  had  probabl}^  been  subjected 
to  some  indignities  before  that  time,  for  we  find  that  on  the  6th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1773,  there  was  passed  an  act  entitled  "An  act  to  prevent  the 
defacing  of  statues  which  are  erected  in  the  city  of  New  York."  But, 
however  that  may  be,  the  effigy  in  question  met  its  appropriate  fate  as 
above  stated  shortl}^  after  the  signing  of  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence, and  in  recognition  of  that  momentous  event. 

In  regard  to  this  affair  the  father  of  our  country  appears  to  have 
entertained  a  view  which  somewhat  reminds  one  of  that  held  by  the 
New  Ens'land  o-entleman  who  declared  himself  "in  favor  of  the  Maine 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  l-i3 

liquor  law,  but  opposed  to  its  enforcement;''  for  Washington,  while 
undoubtedly  favoring  the  results  of  the  iconoclastic  demonstration, 
thought  proper  to  place  himself  officially  on  record  as  objecting  to  the 
precise  method  or  agency  employed  to  secure  the  end  in  yiew.  In 
the  book  of  general  orders  issued  b}"  the  commander  in  chief,  one 
under  date  of  July  10,  1776,  appears,  in  which  the  following  diplomat- 
ically worded  approbatory  censure  was  promulgated.     It  reads: 

Though  the  General  doubts  uot  the  persons  who  pulled  down  and  mutilated  in 
Broadway  the  statue  of  King  George  last  night  acted  in  the  iDublic  cause,  yet  it  has 
so  much  the  appearance  of  riot  and  want  of  order  in  the  Army  that  he  disapproves 
of  the  manner,  and  directs  that  in  future  these  things  shall  be  avoided  by  the  Army 
and  left  to  be  executed  by  the  proper  authority. 

It  is  related  by  historians  of  the  period  that  the  stone  pedestal  of 
this  statue  stood  in  its  place  for  several  3"ears  afterward,  and  the  iron 
fence  which  surrounded  the  group  still  stands,  it  is  said,  though  some- 
what mutilated,  but  the  royal  rider  and  his  prancing  steed  were 
promptl}"  chopped  into  pieces.  These  separated  parts  were,  however, 
not  allowed  to  go  to  waste,  so  to  speak.  On  the  other  hand,  they 
were  carefully  gathered  up  and  shipped  to  Litchfield,  Conn.,  then  a  con- 
tinental military"  depot  of  considerable  importance,  where  thej"  were 
cast  into  bvillets  by  the  patriotic  women  of  the  town  to  be  effectually 
tired  later  on  at  His  Majesty's  troops. 

Those  fond  of  statistical  details  may  be  interested  in  knowing  that 
the  official  reports  show  the  output  from  this  unexpected  but  timely 
suppl}'  of  metal  to  have  been  exactly  -12,088  l)all  cartridges,  and  that 
the  lead  did  better  service  in  its  new  state  than  in  its  original  form  can 
scarcely  be  douljted. 

But  to  come  back  to  the  Federal  city. 

With  rare  exceptions,  indeed  with  a  single  exception  it  nvdj  be  said, 
equestrian  statues  have  never  heen  erected  in  any  country  save  in 
honor  of  so-called  royal  personages,  or  those  who  were  either  actual 
or  titular  commanders  of  troops  in  the  field.  Indeed,  in  art,  the  ''  Man 
on  Horseback"  seems  to  be  regarded  alwaj^s  and  everj'where  as  S3nn- 
bolizing  either  the  royal  ruler  or  the  actual  commander.  Happily, 
with  the  exception  of  the  one  just  noted  and  no  longer  in  existence, 
all  the  equestrian  groups  set  up  in  this  countiy  in  honor  of  its  own 
favorites  belong  to  the  latter  class;  and,  as  will  readil}'  be  inferred, 
the  subjects  thus  portrayed,  as  well  in  Washington  as  in  other  cities  of 
the  countr^^,  have  been  furnished  by  the  first  four  wars  in  which  as  a 
nation  we  have  been  engaged,  namely,  the  Revolutionary  war;  that  of 
1812,  as  it  is  familiarl}-  styled;  the  Mexican  war,  and  the  late  civil 
war.  Taking  these  epochs  in  their  order,  it  will  be  seen  that  we  have 
now  in  place  in  the  national  capital  two  heroes  of  the  first  war,  Wash- 
ington and  Greene;  one  of  the  second,  Jackson;  one  of  the  third, 
Scott,  and  three  of  the  fourth,  in  Thomas,  McPherson,  and  Hancock. 

Naturally  it  would  be  expected  that  the  heroes  of  our  earliest  war 


144  PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

should  be  the  first  to  be  thus  honored.  But,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  it 
was  not  so.  The  first  equestrian  statue  to  be  executed  and  set  up  in 
this  country  (after  the  George  III  already  mentioned)  was  the  bronze 
group  of  General  Jackson,  the  hero  of  the  war  of  1812,  which  stands 
in  Lafa3"ette  square,  in  this  cit3\  It  was  modeled  and  cast  from  can- 
non captured  in  Jackson's  campaigns,  b}"  the  late  Clark  Mills,  and  was 
inaugurated  with  imposing  ceremonies  on  the  8th  day  of  January, 
1853,  that  date  being  the  thirty-eighth  anniversary  of  the  old  hero's 
victory  at  New  Orleans.  The  orator  on  the  occasion  was  the  late 
Hon.  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  then  a  member  of  the  United  States 
Senate,  and  the  praj^er  was  offered  by  Rev.  Dr.  Butler  of  this  cit3^ 

In  this  connection  it  maybe  mentioned  that  the  claim  has  more  than 
once  been  made  that  the  equestrian  statue  of  Washington,  by  Henry 
K,  Brown,  which  stands  in  Union  Square,  New  York,  was  really 
executed  at  an  earlier  period  than  the  Jackson,  though  formally  inau- 
gurated at  a  later  date.  This  claim  is,  however,  not  well  founded. 
The  facts  in  the  case  are  that  the  Jackson  was  completed  and  set  up, 
as  already  stated,  in  Januar\",  1853,  whereas  work  on  the  Washington 
was  only  begun  late  in  the  jcsir  1852,  and  the  statue  was  not  finished 
and  unveiled  until  the  4th  of  Jul}^,  1856,  or  more  than  three  years 
after  the  inauguration  of  the  Jackson. 

It  is  worth  noting  here,  in  passing,  that  Mr.  Mills  had  shown  so 
much  promise  as  a  sculptor  in  the  city  of  Charleston,  where  he  then 
resided,  that  a  number  of  persons  in  that  place  had  contributed  a  purse 
to  enable  him  to  go  to  Europe  to  prosecute  his  studies  as  an  artist,  and 
he  was  in  Washington,  on  his  way  abroad  for  this  purpose,  when  some 
friends  here  persuaded  him  to  forego  his  visit  and  undertake  this  work. 
This  he  finalh^  concluded  to  do.  The  commission  was  consequently 
awarded  him  in  due  course  b}'^  the  Jackson  Democratic  Association  of 
this  citj',  under  whose  auspices  the  statue  was  erected,  and  the  agree- 
ment was  fulfilled  b}^  Mr.  Mills  accordingly.  Subsequently,  however, 
it  was  shown  that  |il2,000,  the  stipulated  amount  to  be  paid  him,  did 
not  cover  the  artist's  outlays  in  money,  much  less  compensate  him  for 
the  time  and  skill  he  had  devoted  to  the  work,  and  Congress  later  on 
appropriated  the  sum  of  §20,000  additional.  One-half  of  this  latter 
amount  was  paid  directly  to  jNlr.  Mills,  and  the  other  moiety  was  to  be 
invested  for  the  benefit  of  his  family,  but  whether  that  intention  was 
carried  out  or  not  appears  to  be  a  matter  of  some  doubt. 

Few  things  are  easier  to  do  or  more  commonW  done  than  finding- 
fault;  and  it  has  been  considered  quite  the  thing  to  harshl}'  criticise 
this  work.  Indeed,  it  has  been  the  habit  of  some  would-be  wits  to 
allude  to  it  as  being  pretty  much  ever\^thing  that  a  work  of  art  should 
not  be.  But  notwithstanding  all  adverse  opinions,  the  group  is  yet 
not  without  considerable  merit.  Unfortunately  it  lacks  the  size  nec- 
essary to  give  it  due  impressiveness;  but  not  a  few  admirers  and  excel- 


STATUE   OF   GEN.    ANDREW   JACKSON    IN    LAFAYETTE   SQUARE. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  I'lS 

lent  judges  of  the  horse  have  maintained  that  the  noble  animal  is 
admirably  represented  in  this  group.  To  use  the  sculptoi's  own  lan- 
guage, as  once  expressed  in  the  hearing  of  the  writer,  he  claimed  to 
"know  as  much  about  the  anaton\y  and  muscular  action  of  a  horse  as 
an}^  man  living,"  and  he  added  that  the  steed  in  this  group  was  mod- 
eled, prancing  attitude  and  all,  directly  from  nature,  as  he  had  taught 
the  horse  to  rear  and  remain  in  that  position  for  some  time.  As  to 
the  rider,  I  believe  it  was  conceded  by  those  who  remembered  the  old 
hero  that  the  likeness  of  Jackson  is  both  faithful  and  spirited.  Tested 
by  the  recognized  canons  of  art,  it  can  hardly  be  serioush"  claimed 
that  this  group  will  take  rank  with  the  best  works  of  its  class.  One 
conspicuous  defect  lies  in  the  fact  that  it  lacks  sufficient  size  to  give  it 
dignity  and  impressiveness,  and  it  is  furthermore  too  small  for  its 
imposing  surroundings.  Yet,  if  it  be  admitted  that  it  fails  to  be  satis- 
factory as  a  whole,  there  remain  some  pregnant  facts  in  connection 
with  it  that  should  be  borne  in  mind.  It  ought  to  be  remembered,  to 
his  great  credit,  that  Mr.  Mills  was  a  wholly  self-taught  artist,  having 
orginally  been  a  plasterer  by  trade;  that  up  to  the  time  he  executed 
this  group  he  had  never  seen  an  equestrian  statue;  that  both  its  con- 
ception and  the  task  of  modeling  it  were  solely  his  own  work;  and 
that,  tinall}",  the  difficult  task  of  casting  it  in  bronze  was  entire!}^  per- 
formed b}^  him — all  the  ingenious  appliances  necessary  therefor  being 
of  his  own  invention  and  construction.  It  is  doul)tful  if  the  history  of 
art  in  any  country  presents  in  all  these  respects  a  parallel  to  this  case. 
Of  this  group,  as  most  of  those  present  are  doubtless  aware,  two  replicas 
in  bronze  have  been  made,  one  of  them  standing  in  New  Orleans,  the 
scene  of  Jackson's  great  military  achievement,  the  other  in  Nashville, 
near  where  his  ashes  repose. 

The  further  observation  may  be  allowed  in  this  connection  that  Mr. 
Mills  claimed  as  one  of  the  merits  of  this  statue  that  its  natural  equi- 
poise was  absolute — that  is,  that  the  center  of  gravity  had  been  so 
attained  in  the  position  of  the  horse  and  his  rider  that  the  group  would 
rest  secure!}'  on  the  hind  feet  of  the  rearing  charger,  without  any  sup- 
port of  fastening  whatever.  This  is  the  fact.  It  is,  however,  a  fact, 
also,  that  when  the  group  was  placed  in  position  in  Lafaj^ette  Square 
the  hind  feet  of  the  horse  were  bolted  or  otherwise  fastened  to  the 
base  or  pedestal  in  order  to  secure  it  against  the  possible  effects  of 
high  winds  or  other  disturbing  or  mischievous  causes.  But  that  the 
group  was  actually  self-poised  Mr.  Mills  used  to  demonstrate  very 
conclusivel}^  b}"  the  exhibition  of  an  exact  miniature  reproduction, 
which  was  so  evenly  balanced  that  it  would  stand  firndy  on  a  marble 
slab  or  other  smooth  surface,  and  equally  so  with  or  without  the  rider 
in  his  place. 

Mr.  Mills's  claim  as  to  the  self-sustaining  equilibrium  of  the  group 
must  therefore  be  regarded  as  well  founded.  Not  so,  however,  his 
p  1—03^—10 


146  PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

other  claim,  that  this  was  the  first  equestrian  statue  ev^er  erected  pos- 
sessing that  peculiar  property.  A  mounted  effigy  of  Philip  IV  of 
Spain,  marked  by  the  same  characteristics,  was  erected  in  Madrid 
about  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century,  and  still  stands  in  one  of 
the  fine  squares  of  that  cit}'.  History,  b}'  the  wa}',  records  the 
interesting  facts  that  the  horse  of  that  group  was  modeled  b}^  the 
Italian  sculptor  Tacca  from  drawings  made  b}'  the  great  Spanish 
painter  Velasquez,  and  that  Galileo  utilized  his  scientific  knowledge 
in  giving  it  the  proper  balance  b}^  finding  and  pointing  out  to  the 
sculptor  the  center  of  gravity.  There  must  also  have  been  another 
earlier  statue  of  the  same  class,  for  I  have  in  my  possession  an  old 
engraving  of  a  self-balanced  equestrian  statue  of  James  II  of  England, 
in  Newcastle-on-Tyne,  said  to  have  been  composed  of  copper,  which 
was  destroj^ed  in  1689.  It  is,  nevertheless,  fair  and  reasonable  to 
suppose,  notwithstanding  all  allegations  and  insinuations  to  the  con- 
trar}^  that  these  facts  were  unknown  to  Mr.  Mills,  and  that  the 
conception  as  well  as  the  means  of  overcoming  the  manj'  obstacles  in 
his  path  were  entirely  original  with  him. 

In  chronological  order,  the  next  equestrian  statue  set  up  in  this 
city  was  that  of  Washington,  also  made  by  Clark  Mills,  which  occu- 
pies the  circle  bearing  the  father  of  his  country's  name,  at  the  crossing 
of  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  Twenty-third  street.  This  group  was 
appropriateh"  unveiled  on  the  22d  of  February,  1860,  with  most  impos- 
ing ceremonies,  which  were  participated  in  by  an  unusually  large  num- 
ber of  organizations,  both  civic  and  militar}'.  Rev.  Dr.  Nadal,  of  the 
Foundry  Church,  implored  the  blessings  of  Divine  Providence.  The 
orator  of  the  occasion  was  Hon.  Thomas  S.  Bocock,  then  a  Repre- 
sentative in  Congress  from  Virginia,  and  the  statue  was  formallj^  dedi- 
cated by  President  Buchanan.  The  naval,  the  marine,  and  the  regu- 
lar ami}'  establishments  were  adequately  represented  on  the  occasion, 
as  were  all  the  militia  companies  of  the  District;  and  among  the  mili- 
tary bodies  from  other  places  which  came  to  add  to  the  impressiveness 
of  the  scene  were  the  Alexandria  Rifles,  the  Law  Gre}^  of  Baltimore, 
the  Charles  County  Cavalry  Guard  from  Port  Tobacco,  the  Reed 
Rifles  from  Chestertown,  the  Baltimore  City  Guard,  and  the  famous 
Seventh  Regiment  of  New  York. 

The  incident  in  Washington's  life  selected  by  the  artist  for  repre- 
sentation in  this  group  occurred  at  the  battle  of  Princeton,  when,  after 
several  ineffectual  efforts  to  rall}^  his  troops,  the  General  advanced  so 
near  the  British  lines  that  his  horse  refused  to  go  further,  but  stood 
in  terror  while  the  balls  from  the  enemy's  guns  tore  up  the  earth 
around  him.  The  heroic  rider  is,  however,  shown  serene  and  dignified, 
as  l:)efitted  his  character  and  temperament. 

The  sculptor's  original  conception  for  this  monument  contemplated 
a  much  more  elaborate  and  pretentious  group  than  we  see.     It  por- 


STATUE    OF   GEN.    GEORGE   WASHINGTON    IN    WASHINGTON    CIRCLE. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  147 

trajcd  Washing-ton  us  now  represented,  and  it  ma}'  fitly  be  mentioned 
here  that  his  face  was  modeled  from  the  well-known  Houdon  head; 
that  the  uniform  was  copied  from  one  actuall}^  worn  by  him,  and  that 
the  trappings  of  the  horse  were  taken  from  those  represented  by 
Trumbull,  the  painter,  who  had  been  his  aid-de-camp.  But  instead 
of  the  comparatively  low  and  severely  plain  pedestal  upon  which  the 
tig-ure  now  stands,  the  artist  had  contemplated  a  massive  and  richly 
decorated  structure,  some  30  feet  in  height,  divided  into  three  stories, 
or  sections,  intended,  as  he  said,  to  represent  the  three  great  epochs  in 
the  history  of  our  countr}'.  The  high,  reliefs  on  the  first  or  lower  sec- 
tion were  to  symbolize  the  countrj'  as  it  appeared  when  first  discovered, 
inhabited  bj^  Indians;  the  second  was  to  represent  the  dawn  of  its 
civilization;  the  third  w-as  to  tell  the  story  of  the  great  Revolutionary 
period,  with  AVashington's  generals  represented  in  life  size,  on  either 
side.  A  life-size  equestrian  group  was  also  to  stand  at  each  of  the 
four  corners  of  the  pedestal,  somewhat  after  the  style  of  the  splendid 
statue  of  Frederick  the  Great  in  Berlin,  the  Maria  Theresa,  in  Vienna, 
and  the  war  monument  in  Leipzig.  But  for  want  of  an  adequate 
appropriation  the  ambitious  original  design  was  (perhaps  fortunately) 
never  carried  out. 

In  connection  with  this  particular  group  it  inny  be  of  interest  to 
note  here  the  historical  fact  that  the  first  action  ever  had  looking  to  an 
equestrian  statue  of  Washington  was  taken  b}^  the  Continental  Con- 
gress on  the  17th  of  August,  1783,  when. 

On  motion  of  ]Mr.  Lee,  seconded  by  Mr.  Bland,  it  was  resolved  "That  an  eques- 
trian statue  of  Washington  be  erected  at  the  place  where  the  residence  of  Congress 
shall  be  establisheci." 

Another  resolution,  ofl'ered  in  connection  with  this,  provided  thiit  the* 
statue  should  l)e  of  l)ronze,  the  General  to  he  represented  in  a  Roman 
dress,  holding  a  truncheon  in  his  right  hand,  and  his  head  encircled 
with  a  laurel  wreath.  The  statue  was  to  be  supported  by  a  marble 
pedestal,  "on  which,''  it  was  provided,  "were  to  be  represented,  in 
bas-relief,  the  following  principal  events  in  the  war  in  which  General 
Washington  commanded  in  person,  viz:  The  evacuation  of  Boston,  the 
capture  of  the  Hessians  at  Trenton,  the  battle  at  Princeton,  the  action 
of  Monmouth,  and  the  surrender  of  York."  On  the  upper  part  of  the 
front  of  the  pedestal  was  to  lie  engraved  this  legend: 

The  United  States  in  Congress  assembled  ordered  this  statue  to  be  erected,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  1783,  in  honor  of  George  "Washington,  the  illustrious  connnander 
in  chief  of  the  armies  of  the  L^nited  States  of  America  during  the  war  which  vindi- 
cated and  secured  their  liberty,  sovereignty,  and  indei^endence. 

It  was  further  provided  that  a  statue  conformable  to  the  above  plan 
should  be  executed  b}'^  the  best  artist  in  Europe  under  the  superin- 
tendence of  the  minister  of  the  United  States  at  the  court  of  Versailles, 
and  that  the  money  to  defray  the  expense  of  the  same  should  be  fur- 


148  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

nished  from  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States.  Further,  the  secretary 
of  Congress  was  directed- to  transmit  to  the  minister  to  France  the  best 
resemblance  to  General  Washington  that  could  be  procured,  together 
with  the  fittest  description  of  the  events  which  were  to  be  the  subject 
of  the  bas-relief. 

It  is  needless  to  add  that  this  elaborate  and  well-meant  scheme  came 
to  naught.  Indeed,  it  does  not  appear  that  any  further  action  was 
taken  in  regard  to  it  or  upon  the  subject  to  which  it  referred  until  after 
the  death  of  Washington,  when,  on  the  19th  and  21th  of  December, 
1799,  respectivel}",  the  two  Houses  of  Congress  passed  a  resolution 
providing  "That  a  marble  monument  be  erected  by  the  United  States 
in  the  Capitol  at  the  cit}'  of  Washington;  that  the  family  of  General 
Washington  be  requested  to  permit  his  body  to  be  deposited  under  it, 
and  that  the  monument  be  so  designed  as  to  commemorate  the  great 
events  of  his  military  and  political  life." 

Subsequently^  on  the  8th  of  Ma}^  1880,  a  resolution  was  ofi'ered  in 
the  House  of  Representatives  providing  that  the  statue  contemplated 
by  the  act  of  1788  should  be  carried  into  immediate  execution  and 
that  the  group  should  be  placed  in  the  center  of  an  area  formed  in 
front  of  the  Capitol.  Another  resolution,  ofiered  at  the  same  time, 
provided  that  a  marble  monument  should  be  erected  b}^  the  United 
States  in  the  Capitol  at  the  cit}'  of  Washington  in  honor  of  General 
Washington,  to  commemorate  his  services  and  to  express  the  regret  of 
the  American  people  for  their  irreparable  loss.  To  carr}^  these  reso- 
lutions into  effect  the  sum  of  $100,000  was  proposed.  When  they 
came  up  for  final  consideration  the  first  resolution  was  amended  by 
substituting  a  mausoleum  for  the  statue,  and  the  second  was  rejected. 
No  further  action  was  taken  at  that  time,  but  at  the  next  session,  in 
December  and  January  following,  the  matter  was  discussed  at  length, 
and  after  various  amendments  had  been  offered  and  rejected  a  resolu- 
tion was  finally  passed  by  both  Houses  providing  for  the  proposed 
mausoleum  and  appropriating  $100,000  for  its  erection.  These  resolu- 
tions were,  however,  never  caj'ried  into  effect,  and,  as  we  all  know, 
the  remains  of  the  great  general  still  repose  at  Aiount  Vernon. 

It  appears,  however,  that  his  widow  gave  her  consent  to  the  proposed 
removal  of  his  remains.  ''In  doing  this,"  she  wrote  to  the  President, 
under  date  of  Januar}^  8,  1800,  "I  need  not,  I  can  not,  sa}^  what  a 
sacrifice  of  individual  feeling  I  make  to  a  sense  of  duty." 

It  does  not  appear  that  either  the  statue  of  General  Scott,  which 
stands  in  Scott  Circle,  at  the  intersection  of  Massachusetts  and  Rhode 
Island  avenues  and  Sixteenth  and  N  streets  NW.,  or  that  of  General 
Greene,  in  Greene  Square,  at  the  intersection  of  Massachusetts  and 
Maryland  avenues  and  C  and  Fifth  streets  NE.,  were  inaugurated  or 
unveiled  with  any  formal  ceremonies.     Both  were  executed  on  a  com- 


STATUE   OF  GEN.    WINFIELD  SCOTT   IN   SCOTT  CIRCLE. 


STATUE  OF  GEN.  NATHANIEL  GREENE  IN  GREENE  SQUARE. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  149 

mission  from  the  United  States  Government  to  the  distinguished 
sculptor,  Henry  K.  Brown,  and,  so  far  as  ni}^  researches  throw  any 
light  on  the  subject,  it  would  seem  that  when  completed  they  were 
turned  over  to  and  accepted  by  the  proper  authority  or  representative 
of  the  Government  much  as  a  public  building  or  an}^  other  work  exe- 
cuted under  a  Government  contract  would  be,  the  first  named  in  1874, 
the  other  in  1877. 

Of  the  statue  of  Scott  it  maj'^  justl}^  be  said  that  while  some  parts  of 
the  group  are  exceedingly  tine,  it  is  not  as  a  whole  generally  consid- 
ered entire  1}^  happy  as  a  work  of  art.  The  horse,  although  a  most 
beautifully  modeled  figure,  does  not  possess  the  points  usually  looked 
for  in  a  commander's  charger,  and  this  might  well  be  expected  when 
it  is  understood  that  it  was  modeled  from  a  thoroughbred  mare.  Fur- 
thermore, it  may  be  said  that  the  horse  is  not  only  of  a  tj'pe  too  slight 
and  delicate  for  the  purpose  indicated,  but  also  too  light  in  form  and 
size  for  the  ponderous  figure  that  surmounts  it.  The  general  impres- 
sion likewise  prevails  that  the  artist  made  a  mistake  in  representing 
General  Scott  at  so  late  a  period  in  life,  when  his  form  had  lost  the 
magnificent  proportions  of  3"oung  manhood,  instead  of  portrajang  him 
as  he  appeared,  let  us  sa}^,  about  the  close  of  the  Mexican  war,  when 
he  was  probably  at  his  best  physically,  and  which  period  might  also 
be  termed  the  culmination  of  his  militar}^  career.  Still,  an  air  of  great 
dignity  and  repose  distinguishes  the  group,  which  favorabl}^  impresses 
the  intelligent  and  appreciative  beholder  and  raises  it  yevy  far  above 
the  dead  level  of  mediocrity.  The  cost  of  this  statue  was  $45,000, 
wholl}'  appropriated  b}"  Congress,  which  also  supplied  the  metal  there- 
for by  contributing  for  that  purpose  a  number  of  cannon  captured  in 
the  Mexican  war. 

The  statue  of  General  Greene  is  less  pleasing  as  a  whole  than  the 
Scott,  though  some  of  the  details  are  likewise  beautifuU}-  executed  and 
worthy  of  all  commendation.  The  Revolutionar}-  hero  is  portraj^ed 
at  the  head  of  his  troops  and  going  forward  to  point  out  to  them  a 
suital)le  point  for  an  attack.  This  motive  represents  the  horse  in  the 
act  of  moving  rapidh^,  which  leaves  in  the  mind  of  the  observer  a 
rather  uncomfortable  feeling  of  unrest,  if  it  may  be  so  expressed.  The 
act  of  Congress  providing  for  the  erection  of  this  statue  was  passed  on 
the  24th  of  June,  1874.  It  appropriated  the  sum  of  $40,000  for  the 
purpose,  and  appointed  a  special  committee  to  carry  the  act  into  efi'ect, 
consisting  of  one  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  one  mem- 
ber of  the  Senate,  and  George  Washington  Greene,  of  Rhode  Island. 

It  is  a  somewhat  curious  historical  fact  that  the  second  appropriation 
made  by  Congress  for  a  public  monument  in  America  should  be  voted 
for  one  to  General  Greene,  and  that  the  purpose  should  not  have  been 
carried  into  efiect  until  nearly  one  hundred  years  later.     The  journal 


150  PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

of  the  Continental  Congress  for  the  8th  day  of  August,  1786,  contains 
the  following  record,  which  is  interesting  in  this  connection: 

On  a  report  of  a  rommittee,  consisting  of  Mr.  Lee,  Mr.  Pettit,  and  Mr.  Carrington — 

Resolved,  That  a  monument  be  erected  to  the  memory  of  Nathaniel  Greene,  esq., 
at  the  seat  of  the  Federal  Government,  with  the  following  inscription:  "Sacred  to 
the  memory  of  Nathaniel  Greene,  esq.,  a  native  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island,  who 
died  on  the  19th  of  June,  1786,  late  major-general  in  the  service  of  the  United  States 
and  commander  of  their  army  in  the  Southern  Department. 

"The  United  States  in  Congress  assembled,  in  honor  of  his  patriotism,  valor,  and 
ability,  have  erected  this  monument." 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Treasury  take  order  for  the  due  execution  of  the  fore- 
going resolution. 

The  appropriation  thus  made  was  never  applied  to  the  purpose 
intended,  and,  as  has  been  shown,  it  remained  for  a  later  Congress  to 
appropriately  honor  the  Revolutionary  hero,  and  more  than  a  century 
after  its  adoption  by  the  Continental  Congress  Gen.  John  M.  Wilson, 
then  Commissioner  of  Public  Buildings  and  Grounds,  caused  the  elo- 
quent inscription  originally  adopted  by  that  body  to  be  carved  on  the 
pedestal  of  the  present  statue.  It  may  be  mentioned  here  that  another 
still  more  curious  circumstance  connected  with  the  subject  of  this 
monument  lies  in  the  fact  that  both  the  date  and  cause  of  his  death, 
and  the  actual  place  of  burial  as  well,  have  ever  since  been  subjects  of 
serious  doubt  and  animated  discussion. 

The  statue  of  General  McPherson,  which  stands  in  the  square  in  this 
cit}'^  bearing  his  name,  was  appropriatel}^  inaugurated  on  the  18th  of 
October,  1876.  It  was  erected  as  a  tribute  to  the  heroism  and  memory 
of  that  gallant  soldier  by  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  which  he  com- 
manded at  the  time  of  his  lamented  death,  which  occurred  during  the 
siege  of  Atlanta.  The  preliminary  steps  to  this  end  were  taken  at  the 
first  meeting  of  the  society  of  that  army,  held  in  the  city  of  Louisville 
in  1865.  The  original  purpose  was  to  erect  the  monument  in  Clyde, 
Ohio,  where  General  McPherson  was  born,  and  where,  also,  his  remains 
were  interred,  but  wiser  counsels  ultimatel}"  prevailed,  and  it  was 
subsequently  and  very  properly  decided  that  the  national  capital  would 
be  the  only  appropriate  place  for  it. 

The  commission  for  this  work  was  first  given  to  Mr.  T.  D.  Jones,  a 
sculptor  of  some  note,  in  Cincinnati,  but  owing  to  his  inabilit}"  to 
carry  out  the  contract  it  was  subsequently  given  to  Mr.  Louis  T. 
Rebisso,  an  artist  less  well  known,  of  the  same  cit}^,  who  completed  it 
in  about  three  years'  time,  the  work  of  casting  the  group  in  bronze 
being  done  b}^  Messrs.  Robert  Wood  &  Co. ,  of  Philadelphia.  The 
cost  of  the  statue  proper  ($23,500)  was  wholly  borne  by  the  Society  of 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  but  for  the  granite  pedestal  an  appropria- 
tion of  $35,000  was  made  hy  Congress. 

The  ceremonies  attending  the  unveiling  were  attended  by  the  Presi- 


STATUE  OF  GEN.    JAMES   B.    McPHERSON    IN    McPHERSON    SQUARE. 


STATUE   OF   GEN.    GEORGE    H.    THOMAS   IN    THOMAS   CIRCLE. 


park;    system    of    the    district    of    COLUMBIA.  151 

deut  and  members  of  bis  Cabinet,  distino-uished  army  and  na\\y  oiE- 
cers,  a  number  of  iirlitary  and  patriotic  civic  organizations,  many 
gentlemen  prominent  in  public  and  private  life,  together  with  a  large 
concourse  of  citizens.  The  audience  was  called  to  order  by  General 
Sherman,  and  prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  Mr.  McCarty,  a  retired 
army  chaplain.  After  a  short  address  by  General  Hickenlooper,  the 
statue  was  formally  unveiled,  and  the  exercises  closed  with  an  oration 
by  Gen.  John  A.  Logan,  at  that  time  a  member  of  the  United  States 
Senate  from  the  State  of  Illinois.  Music  for  the  occasion  was  furnished 
by  the  Marine  Band. 

Doubtless  the  most  elaborate  and  imposing  ceremonies  that  ever 
marked  an  occasion  of  the  kind  in  Washington,  or  perhaps  anywhere 
in  this  country,  were  those  attending  the  inauguration  of  the  statue  of 
Maj.  Gen.  George  H.  Thomas,  at  the  intersection  of  ^Massachusetts 
and  Vermont  avenues  and  l-ith  and  M  streets,  which  took  place  on  the 
19th  of  November,  1870.  Many  of  the  principal  ])uildings,  as  well 
as  some  of  the  busv  thoroughfares  of  the  city,  were  handsomely  deco- 
rated in  honor  of  the  occasion,  and  the  immense  throngs  of  people  in 
the  streets  included  not  only  citizens  of  Washington,  but  large  num- 
bers of  visitors  from  distant  and  widely  separated  sections  of  the 
country.  The  procession  was  two  hours  in  passing  a  given  point,  and 
the  brilliant  military  display  embraced  a  group  of  such  celebrities  as 
are  rarely  brought  together,  including  General  Sherman,  then  com- 
manding the  armies  of  the  United  States,  and  his  staff;  ^Nlajor-Gen- 
eral  Hancock  and  staff,  Major-General  Schotield  and  staff',  and  Briga- 
dier-Generals Crook  and  Augur  and  their  respective  staff's.  The  Navy 
was  adequatel}^  represented  b}^  sailors  and  marines,  and  the  Army  by 
artillerj",  cavaUy,  and  infantry  regiments.  In  addition  to  these  there 
were  military  organizations  present  from  Annapolis,  Alexandria, 
Catonsville,  Norfolk,  and  Richmond.  Music  for  the  occasion  was 
furnished  not  alone  by  the  marine  and  military  bands  of  Washington 
and  the  neighborhood,  but  by  others,  scarcely  less  popular  or  less 
famous,  from  West  Point,  Fortress  Monroe,  Columbus,  Ohio;  Davids 
Island,  N.  Y.,  and  Frederick,  Md. ,  and  the  effects  of  the  soul-stirring 
contributions  of  these  were  supplemented  and  heightened  by  the  ren- 
dering of  appropriate  hymns  and  odes  by  a  choir  of  more  than  fift}^ 
well-selected  and  admirably  qualified  male  voices.  Nor  should  men- 
tion be  omitted  of  the  large  number  of  civic  and  patriotic  organizations 
present,  which,  bv  their  participation  in  the  events  of  the  day,  added 
not  only  materially  to  the  volume  of  the  marching  throng,  but  greatly 
also  to  the  interest  and  impressiveness  of  the  occasion. 

The  immediate  inaugural  exercises,  which  were  interspersed  at  suit- 
able intervals  with  appropriate  music,  were  formally  opened  with 
prayer,  off'ered  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Paxton,  himself  a  musket  bearer  dur- 
ing the  civil  war,  but  at  that  time  ])astor  of  the  New  York  Avenue 


152  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Presbyterian  Church,  in  this  cit3^  The  act  of  unveiling  the  group 
was  titl}'  performed  b}^  the  sculptor,  Mr,  J.  Q.  A.  Ward,  of  New  York. 
This  was  followed  by  a  lengthy  and  eloquent  oration  delivered  by  the 
Hon.  Stanley  Matthews,  at  that  time  a  member  of  the  United  States 
Senate,  representing  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  at  the  close  of  his  remarks 
the  statue  was  formally  accepted  for  and  in  behalf  of  the  people  of  the 
United  States  b}^  President  Hayes. 

Those  whe  are  as  familiar  with  this  group  as  the  present  audience 
must  Ije,  need  scarcely  be  told  that  it  is  at  once  a  pleasing  and  excel- 
lent work  of  art,  perhaps  the  best  in  general  effect  and  most  spirited  of 
its  class  in  Washington,  and  as  a  whole  probabl}"  not  surpassed  by  any 
in  the  country.  The  artist's  idea  was  to  represent  hiw  subject  as  having 
suddenly  checked  the  movement  of  his  horse  on  the  summit  of  a  slight 
acclivity,  for  the  purpose  of  making  an  observation,  or  overlooking  a 
field  of  action;  and  the  conception  is  admirably  realized,  alike  in  the 
pose  and  expression  of  both  rider  and  steed.  It  is  understood  that 
some  six  years'  time  were  spent  more  or  less  continuously  on  the  work, 
for  which  the  artist  received  the  sum  of  |35,000,  wholly  contributed 
and  paid  by  the  Society  of  the  Arm}^  of  the  Cumberland,  b}"  whom  the 
commission  was  given,  and  under  whose  auspices  the  inauguration 
ceremonies  were  conducted.  The  pedestal  was,  however,  provided  by 
an  appropriation  made  for  that  purpose  b}"  Congress,  amounting,  it  is 
understood,  to  about  $25,000,  and  the  statue  is  composed  of  material 
also  contributed  b}"  the  Government. 

The  fine  statue  of  General  Hancock,  which  adorns  the  locality 
familiarly  known  as  Market  Space,  in  this  city,  is  the  work  of  the 
well-known  and  popular  sculptor,  Mr.  Henry  J.  Ellicott,  whose 
lamented  death  occurred  on  the  11th  of  February  last.  Mr.  Ellicott 
may  justl}"  be  claimed  as  a  Washingtonian,  since,  though  born  in  a 
neighboring  State,  he  had  spent  a  large  part  of  his  life  here,  first  as  a 
young  student  and  later  in  the  successful  pursuit  of  his  profession, 
upon  which  he  conferred  no  little  luster.  It  may  further  be  said  that 
local  interest  in  the  group  is  accented  by  the  fact  that,  though  put  in 
bronze  by  the  Gorham  Compan}^,  in  Rhode  Island,  it  was  wholly 
modeled  in  clay  and  cast  in  plaster  in  this  cit}'. 

This  statue  was  inaugurated  on  the  12th  of  May,  1896,  with  impos- 
ing ceremonies,  in  which  appropriate  parts  were  taken  by  prominent 
Government  officials,  representing  its  executive,  legislative,  and  judicial 
departments,  and  a  large  number  of  military  and  civic  organizations, 
both  local  and  visiting.  The  formal  dedicatory  exercises  were  opened 
with  a  brief  but  felicitous  address  b}^  President  Cleveland,  followed 
by  prayer,  offered  by  Bishop  Satterlee  of  the  diocese  of  Washington. 
At  its  conclusion  the  Marine  Band  played  the  "Star  Spangled  Banner," 
and  when  the  last  strains  of  that  stirring  air  died  aY^ay  the  immense 
American  flag  which  draped  the  group  were  drawn  aside  b}^  Cadet 


STATUE   OF   GEN.    VVINFIELD   SCOTT    HANCOCK    IN    MARKET   SPACE. 


PARK    SYSTE^NI    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  153 

Gw3"nn  Hancock,  a  nephew  of  the  general,  and  as  their  folds  fell  away 
the  boom  of  cannon  was  heard,  tiring  a  major  generaFs  salute  of 
thirteen  guns.  At  the  close  of  this  tribute  an  original  poem  suitable 
for  the  occasion  was  read  hj  Mr.  De  Witt  C.  Sprague,  which  was  fol- 
lowed in  turn  b}'  the  formal  oration  of  the  day,  delivered  b}^  Gen. 
John  M.  Palmer,  then  representing  the  State  of  Illinois  in  the  United 
States  Senate.  Following  this,  the  air  ""Hail  Columbia"  was  played 
by  the  Marine  Band,  and  the  benediction  was  pronounced  by  the  Rev. 
W.  H.  Gotwald.^  at  that  time  post  chaplain  of  the  Department  of  the 
Potomac,  Grand  Arm}"  of  the  Repu1:)lic.  If  not  ranking  as  a  great 
work  of  art,  this  group  may  safely  be  pronounced  a  creditable  and 
satisfactory  example  of  the  class  to  which  it  belongs.  Indeed,  it  seems 
to  have  been  singularly  fortunate,  both  in  being  generally  praised 
and  in  escaping  harsh  censure;  and  tbe  pedestal,  designed  b}-  the  Mul- 
lett  Brothers,  architects,  of  this  city,  has  been  not  less  fortunate  in 
these  respects.  It  only  remains  to  be  added,  as  a  matter  of  detail,  that 
this  group  was  executed  under  a  commission  direct  from  the  Federal 
Government,  and  that  a  special  appropriation  of  6-19,000  was  made  by 
Congress  to  defray  the  cost  of  the  figures  and  pedestal. 

This  completes  the  roll  of  equestrian  statues  now  existing  in  Wash- 
ington; but,  as  those  present  are  aware,  the  list  is  to  be  extended 
at  no  distant  day  by  the  erection  of  three  similar  monuments,  now 
contracted  for  and  in  course  of  execution,  in  honor,  respectively,  of 
Generals  Sherman,  Sheridan,  and  Logan. 

The  first  named  of  these — that  of  Sherman^might  justl}"  be  stjTed 
a  child  of  misfortune  from  the  beginning.  It  was  to  have  been  exe- 
cuted b}'  Mr.  Carl  Rohl  Smith,  to  whom,  after  a  competitive  exhibition 
of  some  twenty  models,  the  commission  was  awarded  under  circum- 
stances which  produced  much  unpleasant  feeling  among  artists  at  the 
time.  This  arose  from  the  fact  that  the  committee  of  award,  acting 
for  the  Society  of  the  Arm}"  of  the  Tennessee,  under  whose  auspices 
'the  statue  was  to  be  erected,  ignored  the  recommendations  of  an  advi- 
sor}"  committee  representing  the  National  Sculpture  Society,  which  had 
been  invited  to  pass  upon  the  merits  of  the  several  models  shown. 
The  latter  body  had  selected  four  designs  which  they  considered  better 
than  any  of  the  others  submitted,  and  recommended  that  the  artists 
who  executed  them  he  asked  to  further  elaborate  their  respective  con- 
ceptions on  a  larger  scale  and  enter  them  for  a  second  competition, 
when  the  final  award  should  1)e  made  to  the  one  then  decided  to  be  the 
best  of  the  new  exhibit. 

Instead  of  carrying  out  the  advisory  committee's  recommendation  as 
submitted,  the  charge  was  made  that  the  army  committee  struck  out 
the  name  of  one  of  the  chosen  contestants  and  substituted  for  it  that  of 
Mr.  Smith,  whose  work  had  not  been  considered  worth}"  of  recogni- 
tion by  the  advisory  committee,  and  awarded  the  contract  to  that  gen- 


.  'A  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

tleman,  without  further  competition.  His  lamented  death,  however, 
will  require  that  the  work  shall  be  completed  by  other  hands,  and  it  is 
understood  that  under  a  new  contract  lately  made  it  will  be  carried  out 
b}^  Messrs.  Henr}^  K.  Bush  Brown,  of  New  York,  and  Henry  Kitson, 
of  Boston,  both  sculptors  of  large  experience  and  high  standing,  acting 
in  conjunction. 

The  Sheridan  group  is  to  be  executed  b}"  Mr.  J.  Q.  A.  Ward,  the 
sculptor  who  fashioned  the  Thomas,  already  noticed;  but  when  it  will 
be  put  in  place  can  onl}"  be  conjectured,  since,  up  to  this  time,  so  far 
as  is  know^n  outside  of  the  artist's  studio,  but  little  progress  has  been 
made  with  it. 

Mr.  Franklin  Simmons,  the  artist  who  executed  the  Peace  Monu- 
ment group  in  Pennsjdvania  avenue  at  the  foot  of  the  Capitol  grounds, 
was  awarded  the  commission  for  the  Logan  statue.  This  group,  with 
its  elaborate  pedestal  of  bronze,  is  finished  and  now  in  place  in  Iowa 
circle,  but  not  shown,  and  will,  it  is  announced,  be  formall}'  unveiled 
on  the  9th  of  April,  coming,  with  suitable  ceremonies.  It  is  stated 
that  President  McKinle}'  will  preside  at  the  exercises  and  will  make  a 
short  opening  address;  that  the  oration  will  be  delivered  by  Senator  ' 
DepcAv,  of  New  York;  that  Rev.  Dr.  Bristol,  pastor  of  the  Metropoli- 
tan M.  E.  Church,  will  have  charge  of  the  religious  part  of  the  cere- 
monies, and  that  the  actual  act  of  unveiling  the  group  will  be  performed 
by  Master  George  Tuckei',  a  grandson  of  General  Logan. 

It  is  more  than  likeh'  that  at  no  distant  da}'^  four  more  statues  of 
this  class  will  1)C  added  to  those  here  alread}"  mentioned.  At  the  ses- 
sion of  Congress  which  closed  on  the  4th  of  March  an  appropriation  of 
$250,000  was  made  for  the  erection  of  a  statue  or  memorial  of  General 
Grant,  which,  it  is  understood,  will  be  placed  on  the  grounds  south  of 
the  Executive  Mansion.  Just  what  form  this  memorial  will  take  is  as 
3"et  a  matter  of  conjecture,  l:>ut  from  the  ver}^  liberal  amount  appro- 
priated for  the  purpose  it  ma}'  be  assumed  that  it  will  fitl}'  be  the  most 
imposing  monument  in  the  national  capital,  the  towering  shaft  to  Gen-  ■'' 
oral  Washington  alone  excepted;  and  it  is  not  unreasonable  to  suppose 
that  an  equestrian  statue  will  be  included  as  one  of  its  features,  if  it  - 
does  not  prove  to  be  the  dominant  note  of  the  structure. 

At  the  same  session  the  sum  of  $50,000  was  appropriated  bv  Con- 
gress for  the  pedestal  of  an  equestrian  efiigy  of  General  McClellan, 
soon  to  l)e  erected  here  In'  the  Society  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
with  a  proviso  that  any  portion  of  the  appropriated  amount  not 
required  for  the  site  and  pedestal  might  be  expended  for  the  com- 
pletion of  the  statue  itself. 

In  addition  to  these  two  a  movement  has  been  started  to  secure  for 
the  Federal  city  a  replica  of  two  equestrian  statues  set  up  in  Paris  last 
summer— the  first  that  of  \\'ashington,  by  the  sculptors  French  and 
Potter,  which  was  presented  to  the  French  nation  by  the  Washington 


STATUE   OF   GEN.    JOHN    A.    LOGAN    IN    IOWA   CIRCLE. 


.•■*"     -v  /-• 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  155 

Statue  Association,  composed  of  patriotic  American  women;  the  other 
hat  of  Lafayette,  by  Bartlett,  paid  for  by  the  contributions  of  patri- 
otic American  school  children,  and  presented  in  their  name  to  the 
people  of  France.  As  3"et  these  two  projects  have  not  reached  a  point 
that  insures  their  consummation,  but  it  can  hardly  be  doubted  that  the 
lopes  of  those  engaged  in  forwarding  them  will  be  fully  realized  at  no 
listant  da}". 

AMien  the  three  groups  now  under  contract  and  finished  or  partly 
finished,  together  with  those  contemplated,  shall  have  been  added  to 
those  now  in  position  here,  AVashington  will  possess  a  greater  number 
of  equestrian  statues  than  can  be  found  in  an}"  other  city  in  the  world. 
AYhether  this  is  a  matter  of  which  a  peace-loving  people  living  under 

republican  form  of  government  may  justl}"  pride  itself  may  be  an 
opL'n  question,  and  also  whether  or  not  some  of  our  militar}"  heroes 
have  been  unduly  honored  in  the  matter  of  monuments  and  statues. 
But  however  that  ma,j  be  it  can  hardly  l)e  claimed  that  the  Kepublic 
has  adequately  recognized  and  properly  honored  in  this  way  her  sons 
who  b}"  their  achievements  in  the  arts,  in  letters,  in  science,  and  in 
statesmanship,  in  the  pulpit,  at  the  bar  and  on  the  bench,  in  the  various 
fields  of  useful  invention,  in  works  of  philanthrop}"  and  in  other  quiet 
walks  of  civil  life  have  conferred  luster  on  their  countr}-  and  illumined 
the  age  in  which  they  lived.  Let  it  therefore  be  the  work  of  this 
societ}"  to  urge  that  the  national  capital  shall  in  future  be  adorned  not 
so  much  by  statues  and  memorials  of  those  who  have  won  fame  by  the 
shedding  of  blood  as  of  those  whose  lives  have  been  devoted  to  the 
no1)lcr  work  of  promoting  the  welfare  and  securing  the  happiness  of 
mankind. 

In  conclusion,  1  trust  a  few  words  germane  to  the  subject  under 
notice  will  be  pardoned,  though  it  may  not  be  expected  that  the  domain 
of  art  criticism  shall  be  entered  in  a  hurriedly  written  resume  like 
this,  which  has  already  passed  the  limits  of  reasonable  length.  But 
so  much  has  been  said  and  is  still  being  said  in  derogation  of  Ameri- 
can art,  and  especially  of  American  sculpture,  that  simple  justice 
seems  to  call  for  a  word  or  two  on  this  point. 

I  do  not  hold  myself  to  be  a  competent  authority  on  the  subject.  It 
is,  however,  one  in  which  I  have  for  a  long  time  been  interested,  and 
the  result  of  such  observation  and  study  as  I  have  been  able  to  give  to  it 
is  the  well-settled  conviction  that  the  equestrian  statuary  of  the  United 
States  will  not,  on  the  whole,  suffer  greatly  b}"  comparison  with  that 
of  any  other  countr}"  in  the  world.  Certainh"  it  ma}^  be  said  that  if 
we  huve  nothing  quite  equal  to  two  or  three  of  the  best  groups  to  be 
found  in  other  lands,  we  have,  with  one  or  two  exceptions,  nothing- 
less  artistic  or  less  pleasing  than  some  of  their  worst;  and  that  at  least 
is  something  to  be  thankful  for. 

But  not  that  alone.     It  may  saf  el}"  be  added  that,  putting  good  and 


156  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

bad  together,  and  taking  all  things  into  account,  the  American  people 
have  reason  to  be  proud  rather  than  ashamed  of  what  both  their  sculp- 
tors and  their  painters  have  achieved  in  their  respective  fields  of  effort. 
It  may  properl}^  be  added,  furthermore,  that  in  the  opinion  of  thor- 
oughly capable  judges  who  were  present,  the  American  display  of 
both  graphic  and  plastic  art  at  the  Paris  Exposition  of  1900,  though 
less  perhaps  in  quantit}'^  than  some,  was  not  in  artistic  qua] it}"  behind 
the  contributions  of  an}^  other  country  represented  there — France,  the 
acknowledged  home  of  modern  art,  not  excepted.  This  is  at  once  a 
gratifying  fact,  and  a  good  omen.  It  abundantl}-  justifies  the  faith 
largely  and  firmly  held  that  there  is  yet  a  more  brilliant  future  for 
American  art — of  which,  let  us  hope  and  believe,  the  national  capital 
shall  ultimately  be  the  acknowledged  center  and  chief  repository. 


SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS —NO.  9. 


ESSAY  ON  THE  CITY  OF  WASHINGTON. 

[From  the  Washington  Gazette  for  November  19,  28,  26,  and  December  7,  1796.] 


November  8.  1901. — Printed  for  the  use  of  the  committee. 


To  found  a  city"  in  the  center  of  the  United  States,  for  the  purpose 
of  making  it  the  depositor}^  of  the  acts  of  the  Union,  and  the  sanctu- 
ary of  the  laws  which  must  one  day  rule  all  North  America,  is  a  grand 
and  comprehensive  idea,  which  has  already  become  with  propriety 
the  object  of  public  respect. 

In  reflecting  on  the  importance  of  the  Union,  and  on  the  advantage 
which  it  secures  to  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States,  collect- 
ively or  individually,  where  is  there  an  American  who  does  not  see, 
in  the  establishment  of  a  Federal  town,  a  natural  means  of  confirm- 
ing forever  that  valuable  connection  to  which  the  nation  is  indebted 
for  its  liberation  from  ihe  British  yoke — that  union  which  assures  to 
every  individual  mutual  aid  against  the  efforts  of  any  who  may  dare 
to  disturb  public  order  and  tranquillity — that  union,  the  shield  of  the 
wise  laws  under  the  protection  of  which  we  shall  all  enjoy  a  life  of 
peace,  a  freedom  of  opinion  and  moral  equality,  in  a  degree  hitherto 
unknown  to  any  peoj)le  on  earth — that  connection,  in  short,  to  which 
■''the  United  States  owe  the  extent  and  the  flourishing  condition  of  their 
commerce,  the  respectable  station  they  occujay  among  the  nations  of 
the  earth,  and  which,  under  such  a  variety  of  aspects,  ought  to  be 
the  object  of  the  veneration  of  every  reflecting  man. 

The  Federal  city,  situate  in  the  center  of  the  United  States,  is  a 
temiDle  erected  to  liberty,  and  toM^ard  this  edifice  will  the  wishes  and 
expectations  of  all  true  friends  of  their  country  be  incessantly 
directed. 

The  city  of  Washington,  considered  under  such  important  points 
of  view,  could  not  be  calculated  on  a  small  scale.  Its  extent,  the  dis- 
position of  its  avenues  and  public  squares,  should  all  correspond  with 
the  magnitude  of  the  object  for  which  it  was  intended,  and  we  need 
only  cast  our  eyes  upon  the  situation  and  the  plan  of  the  city  to  rec- 

157 


158  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

oguize  ill  them  the  comprehensive  genius  of  the  President,  to  whom 
the  direction  of  the  business  has  been  intrusted  by  Congress. 

Washington  is  situated  in  38°  50'  north  latitude,  at  the  confluence 
of  the  Potomac  and  the  Eastern  Branch.  Its  limit  extends  over  a 
part  of  Maryland  and  a  part  of  Virginia,  which  are  separated  by  the 
river  Potomac. 

The  ground  on  which  the  city  is  laid  out  is  healthy  and  fertile,  and 
so  disposed  that  more  than  half  its  circumference  has  the  benefit  of 
navigable  water,  and  although  its  distance  from  the  capes  of  Chesa- 
peake Bay  is  almost  300  miles,  yet  the  tide  rises  there  4  feet  and  the 
water  readily  admits  of  vessels  of  four  and  five  hundred  tons  burden. 
The  river  above  the  city  is  on  the  point  of  being  rendered  navigable 
for  boats  of  150  or  200  barrels  to  the  extent  of  five  or  six  hundred 
miles. 

The  city  will  cover  a  surface  of  nearly  4,000  acres.  The  ground  is 
not  j)erfectly  level,  but  declivities  ma}'  be  so  managed  as  not  only  to 
be  rendered  almost  insensible,  but  very  useful  in  canning  off  the 
water  and  preserving  the  cleanliness  of  the  city. 

This  description  would  perhaj)s  be  sufficient  to  give  the  reader  a, 
high  idea  of  tlie  city  in  general,  but  the  details  are  of  a  natui-e  to 
interest  and  command  the  attention  of  men  of  all  ages  and  in  all 
situations. 

Washington,  as  the  metroj)olis  of  the  Union,  as  a  commercial  town, 
and  a  pleasurable  situation,  may,  in  every  point  of  view,  present  the 
resources  that  are  rarely  united.  It  is  sufficient  to  attend  to  this  estab- 
lishment under  all  its  aspects  to  inspire  ardent  wishes  for  its  success, 
and  to  induce  one  to  assign  it  a  distinguished  rank  among  the  most 
celebrated  capitals  of  the  world. 

AVhen  Major  L'Eiifant  conceived  the  vast  and  magnificent  i)lan,  the 
execution  of  which  must  unite  true  elegance  to  utility  and  agreeable- 
ness,  his  attention  was  first  directed  to  the  situation  now  occupied  by 
the  Cai^itol.  Here  he  fixed  the  center  of  the  city,  as  the  city  is  the 
center  of  the  American  Empire,  and  he  rendered  the  edifice  access!-' 
ble  by  more  than  twentj^  streets  which  terminate  at  this  point.  Each 
street  is  an  emblem  of  the  rays  of  light  which,  issuing  from  the  Cap- 
itol, are  directed  toward  every  part  of  America,  to  enlighten  its  inhab- 
itants respecting  their  true  interests.  Each  street  is  also  an  emblem 
of  the  facility  with  which  the  Capitol  may  be  approached,  in  every 
respect  and  at  all  times,  by  eveiT  individual  wlio  shall  live  under  the 
protection  of  the  Union.  This  ingenious  allusion  has  been  happily 
favored  by  the  ground.  The  Caijitol  has  an  elevation  of  72  feet  above 
the  level  of  high  water,  and  overlooks  the  city  in  such  a  manner  that 
its  horizon  will  be  bounded  only  by  the  small  mountains  at  several 
miles  distance. 

This  situation  is  well  calculated  to  elevate  the  mind  of  the  legislator. 
It  will  continually  remind  him  that  if  from  this  Capitol  are  to  proceed 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  159 

the  laws  which  shall  give  life  and  energy  to  all  j)arts  of  the  dominion, 
it  is  toward  this  central  point  also  that  the  active  vigilance  of  a  nation 
of  freemen  will  be  directed. 

The  Capitol,  which  is  constructed  on  the  plan  drawn  by  Mr.  Hallet, 
will  be  one  of  the  most  spacious  modern  edifices.  It  will  comprehend 
the  halls  intended  for  the  two  branches  of  the  legislature,  the  halls  of 
conference,  and  the  different  offices  attached  to  them,  collectively  or 
sepai'ately.  The  proportions  of  this  magnificent  monument  correspond 
with  its  definition.  The  architecture  is  masculine  and  bold,  the 
details  are  elegant,  and  the  ornaments  well  adjusted.  The  comi^osition 
resembles  the  physical  and  political  situation  of  the  United  States. 
Each  part  has  its  local  advantages,  but  its  true  beauty  results  from 
the  connection  of  all  its  parts. 

The  court  of  this  building  is  spacious  and  regular.  It  enlightens 
the  interior  and  facilitates  the  communications.  It  will  be  embel- 
lished with  a  colonade  of  the  Doric  order.  In  the  center  will  be  placed 
the  altar  of  liberty,  around  which  the  United  States  will  be  repre- 
sented under  the  figure  of  a  young  Avoman,  which  will  be  closely  joined 
^  together.  This  group  will  be  the  emblem  of  the  Union.  Pedestal 
statues  of  all  the  illustrious  men  who,  b}'  their  valor  or  tlieir  writ- 
ings, have  contributed  to  establisli  and  confirm  the  Union  may  be 
placed  between  each  portico  in  the  circumference  of  the  court,  and 
the  niches  arranged  in  the  interior  of  the  galleries  will  be  successively 
filled  with  the  busts  of  distinguished  men,  whose  lives  shall  have  lieen 
consecrated  by  the  happiness  of  their  countr3^ 

The  Capitol  will  be  the  j)oint  from  which  the  Americans  will  reckon 
their  longitude.  The  tables  are  calculated  by  Mr.  Ellicott,  engineer 
and  geographer  to  the  United  States. 

The  entry  to  the  Capitol,  on  tlie  east,  will  face  a  rectangular  square, 
sufficient!}'  spacious  to  contain  50,000  souls  on  days  of  public  solem- 
nit}'.  The  approaches  to  this  are,  as  has  been  before  remarked,  1  )y  more 
than  twenty  different  streets  and  avenues;  some  of  them  will  be  160 
feet  in  breadth,  others  from  SO  to  100.  This  magnificent  proportion 
adds  to  the  grandeur  of  the  Capitol;  and  the  rows  of  trees  which  will 
line  the  great  streets  or  avenues  will  render  the  view  picturesque. 

In  the  center  of  the  square  there  will  probably  be  erected  a  group 
representing  on  one  side  the  Uuited  States  assigning  to  the  President 
the  direction  of  the  Federal  city,  and  on  the  other  the  President 
inviting  artists  from  every  j)art  of  the  world  to  come  and  enrich  with 
their  talents  the  establishment  confided  to  his  superintendence. 

The  principal  avenue  on  the  west  side  will  be  divided  through  its 
whole  length  by  a  canal,  from  which  will  proceed  an  immense  num- 
ber of  branches,  intended  to  water  and  cleanse  the  streets  of  the 
city.  The  declivity  occasioned  b}'  the  difference  of  level  between 
the  Capitol  and  garden  on  the  west  will  form  a  carpet  of  green,  which 
will  extend  to  the  borders  of  the  canal  and  will  be  interrupted  by 


160  PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

cascades  of  running  water  issuing  from  allegorical  statues,  emblem- 
atical of  the  great  rivers  of  America,  such  as  the  Delaware,  the  Hud- 
son, etc. ,  which  may  be  placed  on  the  terrace  of  the  Capitol. 

The  second  principal  building  is  the  house  intended  for  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States.  It  is  constructed  on  the  plan  designed  by- 
Mr.  Hoban,  and,  next  to  the  Capitol,  will  be  the  most  spacious  and 
splendid  monument  hitherto  erected  in  America.  By  its  position  it 
is  the  point  of  union  for  more  than  fifteen  streets.  The  Capitol  and 
the  President's  House  are  so  situated  that  the  President  may  have 
continually  in  his  view  the  temple  where  are  deposited  the  laws,  the 
execution  of  which  is  committed  to  him;  and  it  seems  that  b}^  the 
multiplicity  of  the  streets  and  their  diverging  direction  it  was  in- 
tended to  remind  him  constantly  of  the  importance  of  directing  his 
official  views  to  the  most  distant  xDart  of  the  empire;  and  this  ingen- 
ious allegory,  in  an  inverted  sense,  will  call  to  his  mind,  at  the  same 
time,  that  his  actions  are  continually  and  unavoidably^  open  to  general 
inspection. 

Upon  the  square  in  front  of  this  edifice  may  be  represented  the 
founder  of  American  liberty,  encircled  by  his  companions  in  arms, 
governors,  and  ministers,  i-enewing,  in  the  face  of  heaven,  the  oath  to 
maintain  the  Union  at  the  hazard  of  their  lives. 

These  allegorical  groups  which  continually  retrace  some  duties  are 
doubtless  preferable  to  statues  erected  to  flattery  of  men,  whom  im- 
partial history  so  often  strips  of  their  fictitious  virtues.  America  in 
discharging  a  duty  imposed  on  her  by  gratitude  to  her  first  magis- 
trate will  at  the  same  time  furnish  a  useful  lesson  for  his  successors, 
by  showing  them  what  she  expects  from  their  exertions  and  what 
they  have  a  right  to  hope  from  her  gratitude. 

Everything  around  these  edifices  correspond  perfectly  with  their 
grandeur;  the  streets  and  the  avenues  Avhich  terminate  here  are  of  a 
breadth  and  extent  of  which  one  can  not  yet  form  any  idea  by  com- 
parison. Indeed,  no  city  on  earth  offers  so  many  points  of  connection, 
so  spacious,  and  laid  out  with  such  regularity. 

If  the  city  of  Washington  contained  nothing  interesting  except 
these  two  monuments,  so  important  by  their  situation  and  their  x)olit- 
ical  relations,  what  inhabitant  of  the  United  States  would  Jiot  wait 
with  impatience  for  the  first  Monday  of  December  in  the  year  1800, 
and  desire  to  be  a  witness  of  the  dedication  of  the  two  edifices,  which 
will  forever  be  a  memorable  epoch  for  America?  But  in  describing 
a  subject  so  important,  it  is  obvious  the  resources  of  eloquence  become 
useless,  for  that  which  is  reallj^  elegant  has  no.  need  of  ornament,  and 
the  imagination  readily  supi^lies  everything  that  could  be  added  on 
the  subject. 

The  garden  which  connects  the  Capitol  and  the  President's  House 
is  laid  out  in  proportions  that  correspond  with  the  magnificence  of 
those  structures.     The  sj)ace  which  it  is  designed  to  occupy  is  1,700 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  161 

feet  broad,  and  more  than  7,000  feet  in  length,  independent  of  tlie 
two  immense  declivities  which  extend  from  the  Capitol  and  the  Presi- 
dent's House  to  the  canal  which  separates  them  from  the  garden. 

To  mention  these  large  proportions  is  suflficient  to  give  a  high  idea 
of  the  garden  which  will  be  terminated  by  the  Capitol  on  the  east  and 
on  the  west  by  the  Potomac.  This  river  presents  itself  diagonally, 
and  the  prospect  extends  to  a  distance,  upon  an  island,  which  rises 
20  or  30  feet  above  the  siirface  of  the  water,  and  on  which  the  view 
reposes  with  most  pleasurable  sensations. 

If  nature  has  been  lavish  in  the  situation  of  the  ground  where  the 
Capitol  and  the  President's  House  are  disposed,  the  author  of  the  plan 
has  been  happy  in  making  use  of  the  advantages,  and  selecting  from 
them  the  most  fortunate  choice.  Each  point  of  the  whole  has  been 
studied,  and  marked  with  the  stamp  of  genius,  enlarged  and  accus- 
tomed to  form  plans  on  a  large  scale. 

A  grand  avenue  of  2,000  feet  breadth,  divided  through  its  whole 
length,  a  space  of  water  120  feet  wide,  and  two  alleys,  each  of  50  feet 
from  the  middle  of  the  garden,  and  open  the  Capitol  to  view.  Two 
solid  clumps  of  trees,  each  of  200  feet  thickness,  and  two  against  the 
allej's  of  90  feet,  compose  the  whole  of  the  magnificent  garden. 

On  the  south  is  reserved  a  space  of  325  feet  for  the  grand  hotels, 
which  will  be  constructed  along  the  opposite  alley  for  the  purpose  of 
ornamenting  it;  the  street  in  the  rear  of  the  hotels  will  be  85  feet  in 
breadth. 

On  the  north,  the  houses  will  occupj^  230  feet  in  breadth,  the  quay, 
80  feet,  and  the  canal,  100.  The  front  of  the  houses  which  line  the 
opj)osite  valley  on  the  north  will  be  disposed  in  arcades,  and  the 
entries  of  the  streets  will  form  so  many  porticoes  or  triumphal  arches 
analogous  to  the  whole  plan.  This  series  of  arches  and  porticoes  will 
complete  a  gallery  of  25  feet  in  breadth  and  about  9,000  feet  in  length. 
This  gallery,  oj)en  to  the  south,  will  be  a  winter's  walk,  the  inost 
extensive  and  splendid  in  existence  and  of  which  the  idea  was  never 
before  conceived.  Treasures  of  objects  of  luxury  and  delight  will 
enrich  the  whole  length  of  this  gallery,  which,  when  completely 
finished,  will  produce  the  effect  of  an  enchanted  place,  rather  than 
that  of  a  line  of  private  houses. 

The  external  decoration  of  these  buildings  will  be  answerable  to 
their  extent  and  position;  it  will  be  so  calculated  as  to  admit  light 
sufficient  for  the  galleries  and  magazines.  It  would  be  trifling  to 
describe  particularly  the  different  objects  which  will  embellish  the 
gallery,  the  alleys  of  the  garden,  and  the  verdant  bower  which  will  be 
formed  in  the  clumps  of  trees;  yet  we  may  be  indulged  in  presenting 
an  idea  of  the  group  which  may  be  placed  at  the  junction  of  the  alleys 
of  the  garden,  which  will  correspond  with  the  Capitol  and  the  Presi- 
dent's house.  This  group,  of  a  colossal  size,  would  represent  all  the 
commercial  towns,  as  Boston,  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore, 
p  1—03 11 


162  PARK    SYSTEM    OP    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Charleston,  etc. ,  receiving  a  rapid  growth  under  the  protection  of  the 
laws  and  the  watchful  care  of  the  President. 

We  see  that  this  garden  is  situated,  and  perhaps  disposed,  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  become  the  point  of  union  for  men  of  all  countries 
and  all  conditions;  and  were  the  city  of  Washington  never  to  extend 
beyond  the  two  edifices  here  described,  its  whole  construction  would 
surpass  in  the  elegance  of  this  kind  all  that  the  most  celebrated  cities 
of  Europe  can  exhibit. 

The  canal  which  will  be  opened  through  the  whole  length  of  the 
public  garden,  and  which  communicates  from  the  Eastern  Branch  of 
the  Potomac,  is  less  an  object  of  ornament  and  elegance  than  of  pub- 
lic utility,  a  great  part  of  which  has  been  rendered  necessary  by  the 
ground.  We  can  not  be  too  cautious  in  guarding  against  the  effects 
produced  by  enthusiasm  and  exaggeration. 

The  magnificence  of  a  city  consists  less  in  the  multiplicity,  often 
incoherence,  of  objects  sought  than  in  a  judicious  arrangement  and  a 
suitable  disposition  of  all  its  parts.  Our  admiration  for  what  is  not 
useful  is  momentary,  and  art  consists  in  producing  great  effects 
without  purchasing  them  by  inconveniences  which  it  is  always  difii- 
cult  and  often  impossible  to  remedy. 

On  this  principle  the  canal  was  intended  to  facilitate  the  importa- 
tion and  exportation  of  articles  of  the  first  necessity  to  and  from  the 
center  of  the  city;  but  it  becomes  the  dignity  of  the  capital  that 
the  navigation  should  not  extend  to  the  part  of  the  canal  which  will 
be  seen  from  the  garden,  and  that  it  should  be  reserved  solely  to 
enrich  the  prospect.  The  body  of  water  which  will  be  seen  from  the 
Capitol  may  contain  more  than  500  vessels,  and  this  advantage  is  an 
equivalent  for  what  might  be  expected  from  a  navigation  which  would 
hide  the  garden  and  impair  the  rich  imagery  of  the  prospect. 

The  canal,  viewed  as  a  canal  to  discharge  the  superfluous  waters, 
and  as  an  object  of  ornament  and  secondary  utility,  may  be  regarded 
as  a  happy  article,  corresponding  entirely  with  other  parts  of  the  plan. 
The  two  rivers,  the  Potomac  and  the  Eastern  Branch,  furnish  for 
commerce  a  harbor  of  almost  5  miles  in  length.  It  is  proposed  to 
build  a  quay  throughout  its  whole  extent  in  such  a  manner  as  to  leave 
an  interval  of  80  feet  between  the  river  and  the  stores;  those  build- 
ings will  be  so  arranged  as  to  admit  this  space;  the  surface  of  the 
earth  will  be  leveled  through  the  whole  length  of  the  quay,  and  so 
raised  above  all  the  high  tides  as  to  admit  of  cellars  which  shall  not 
be  exposed  to  inundation.  In  the  places  where  the  shores  shall  be 
steep  and  elevated,  the  first  story  on  the  side  of  the  quay  will  form  a 
level  with  the  street  on  the  other  side,  so  that  this  disposition  will 
facilitate  the  conveyance  of  goods  by  raising  or  lowering  them,  by 
the  help  of  a  crane,  which  will  be  attended  with  no  inconvenience,  and 
will  render  the  movements  easy  and  little  expensive. 

We  can  say  nothing  of  the  general  arrangement  of  those  buildings, 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  163 

as  this  can  be  judged  of  only  by  the  whole  view;  but  they  should  be 
so  distributed  that  the  whole  may  present  the  appearance  of  opulence 
acquired  by  a  prudent  management  in  trade. 

At  suitable  distances  on  the  wharf,  as  in  the  other  parts  of  the  city, 
are  reserved  places  for  the  construction  of  magazines  intended  for  fire 
engines;  in  the  front  of  these  storehouses  will  be  the  rooms  for  the 
watchmen  of  the  city,  and  during  severe  cold  an  occasional  shelter 
for  workmen  whose  labors  compel  them  to  be  much  abroad  in  tem- 
pestuous weather.  The  real  advantage  which  Washington  must  have 
over  ordinary  cities,  which  are  mostly  built  without  a  plan,  will  be 
the  multiplication  of  useful  accommodations  which  may  tend  to  the 
comfort  of  the  indigent  and  laborious  class  of  people. 

The  parts  of  the  wharf  which  correspond  with  the  streets  terminat- 
ing on  it,  will  be  reserved  as  the  property  of  the  corjjoration.  These 
jjlaces  will  be  appropriated  to  the  entry  of  vessels  loaded  with  wood, 
coal,  provisions,  and  other  articles  of  the  first  necessity.  The  design 
of  this  arrangement  is  to  unite  the  conveniences  of  individuals  of 
ever}'  class  with  that  of  commerce. 

On  each  side  of  the  way  intended  for  carriages  there  will  be  a  row 
of  trees,  which  besides  the  delightful  prospect  and  the  shade  they 
will  afford  for  men  whose  business  may  call  them  to  labor  on  the 
wharves,  will  in  case  of  fire  cut  ofi:  all  communication  between  the 
city  and  harbor. 

One  of  the  great  advantages  of  the  Federal  City  is  the  abundance  of 
excellent  water  it  everywhere  afi'ords.  We  may  observe  along  the 
wharves  an  immense  number  of  springs  designed  for  the  use  of  the 
shipping  and  the  inhabitants. 

In  front  of  the  80-foot  space  reserved  for  the  wharf,  each  proprietor 
will  have  liberty  to  erect  such  moles  as  he  may  deem  necessary  to 
cover  vessels  from  injury,  and  will  be  jiermitted  to  construct  small 
houses  as  temporary  warehouses  for  goods  designed  for  shipment. 

A  person  can  not  at  once  form  an  idea  of  the  beauty  of  a  wharf  so 
extensive ;  ahvays  convenient  and  never  obstructed ;  where  the  eye 
will  see  with  pleasure  the  bustle  and  activity  of  industry,  without  the 
confusion  and  disorder  that  usually  perplex  such  places.  As  no  part 
of  the  quay  is  yet  completed  to  its  full  extent,  it  is  difficult  to  give  a 
satisfactory  description  of  it;  but  those  who  know  the  situation  will 
perceive  that  no  obstacle  opposes  its  execution,  and  it  was  reserved 
for  the  United  States  to  found  a  city  where  vast  projects  may  be  exe- 
cuted without  encountering  obstacles.  At  Washington  will  be  avoided 
the  inconvenience  found  in  so  many  modern  cities,  where  not  even  an 
attempt  has  been  made  to  give  the  wharves  a  regular  form ;  where 
everything  has  been  done  by  chance,  and  where  things  have  been 
directed  by  the  mistaken  j)i*ivate  interest  of  individuals,  whose  par- 
ticular advantages  ought  ever  to  be  subordinated  to  the  general 
interest. 


164  PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

By  removing  the  vessels  also  to  a  distance  the  Infection  of  pestilen- 
tial exhalations  from  the  filth  which  will  collect  between  the  miles 
will  be  j)revented. 

This  is  the  great  fault  of  almost  all  commercial  towns,  where  the 
air  is  confined  among  the  ships  and  very  nigh  stores  which  usually  line 
the  wharves — a  circumstance  to  which  perhaps  must  be  attributed  the 
epidemic  diseases  which  frequently  prevail  in  maritime  cities. 

The  two  rivers,  the  Potomac  and  the  Eastern  Branch,  do  not  present 
the  same  advantages  for  the  establishment  of  a  harbor;  the  Potomac 
is  not  sheltered  from  westerly  winds,  and  the  ice  which  floats  down  in 
the  spring  renders  this  part  of  the  harbor  more  difficult  for  the  con- 
struction of  quays.  The  Eastern  Branch,  which  extends  only  7  or  8 
miles,  affords  more  convenient  and  safe  anchorage.  The  entrance  is 
broad  and  deep,  and  the  city  of  Washington,  had  it  no  other  harbor 
than  this  branch,  might  carry  on  the  most  extensive  commerce  and 
shelter  an  infinite  number  of  ships  in  tempestuous  weather. 

The  commerce  of  the  Federal  citj^  proceeds  from  two  sources,  which 
will  soon  rank  it  among  the  first  cities  of  America.  The  sources  are: 
First,  its  maritime  ti-ade,  combined  with  the  advantage  of  its  being  the 
exclusive  staple  for  all  the  upj)er  part  of  the  Potomac,  covering  an 
extent  of  more  than  600  miles,  including  its  different  branches.  This 
navigation  will  convey  to  this  port  the  productions  of  almost  4,000,000 
acres  of  land,  calculating  that  the  products  which  go  down  the 
river  are  brought  from  the  distance  of  6  miles  on  each  side  of  the 
river.  The  second  resource  for  trade  which  this  city  will  enjoy  will 
be  the  great  number  of  manufactures  which  may  be  established  on 
the  two  branches  of  the  Potomac,  by  the  Great  and  Little  falls  of  that 
river.  Their  resources  are  so  important  as  to  merit  that  their  reality 
be  demonstrated. 

By  casting  our  eyes  over  the  map  of  Maryland  and  Virginia  we  shall 
see  that  the  position  of  Washington,  at  the  foot  of  the  falls,  was  the 
most  favorable  that  could  be  selected.  Thus,  placed  at  the  head  of 
the  two  navigations,  it  can  not  fail  to  become  the  staple  mart  of  the 
importations  for  the  consumption  of  an  immense  country  at  the  west- 
ward, and  the  most  natural  market  for  all  the  productions  of  the 
interior. 

By  calculating  that  the  river  Potomac  and  its  different  branches 
should  serve  only  for  the  agriculture  of  6  miles  of  all  the  lands  on 
each  side  which  are  washed  by  its  waters,  we  shall  be  able  to  avoid 
the  charge  of  enthusiasm,  but  people  who  know  the  country  perf  ectlj^ 
make  their  calculations  much  larger,  and  by  reason  of  the  approach 
of  some  branches  of  the  Potomac  they  admit  the  possibility  of  opening 
a  communication  between  the  waters  of  this  river  and  of  the  Ohio, 
whose  navigation  is  absolutely  shut  by  the  Mississippi. 

By  interrupting  the  navigation  by  masses  of  rocks,  which  will  yield 
only  to  the  efforts  of  many  ages,  nature  has  formed  dams  which  will 


PAKK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  165 

be  used  for  cariying  the  waters  of  the  Potomac  into  the  canals,  which 
will  be  opened  below  their  surface.  This  labor,  the  execution  of 
which  is  ordinarily  attended  with  much  difficulty,  the  construction  so 
expensive,  and  the  maintenance  so  troublesome,  is  here  found  com- 
pleted by  the  hand  of  nature  and  in  an  immovable  manner. 

The  great  cataract  or  fall  of  the  Potomac  is  78  feet,  and  the  little 
fall  32.  Suppose  them  divided  into  ijortions  of  15  feet,  it  is  evident 
that  there  may  be  established  on  the  perpendicular  height  of  the  two 
falls,  7  bucket  wheels,  each  of  14  feet  diameter,  which  may  receive 
the  water  on  the  upper  part  of  the  wheel.  So  that  there  may  be 
as  many  times  7  machines  moved  by  wheels  of  14  feet  diameter 
as  there  shall  be  volumes  of  watei-  capable  of  turning  one  only  of 
the  same  kind;  that  is,  if  100  pounds  of  water  in  a  second,  multiplied 
bj^  the  lever  proceeding  from  14  feet  fall,  will  move  a  certain  machine, 
it  will  follow  that  by  means  of  the  perpendicular  height  of  the  fall, 
100  pounds  of  the  water  of  the  Potomac  may  successfully  fall  upon  7 
such  machines  and  put  them  in  motion. 

If  w^e  take  a  view  of  the  waters  of  this  river  and  of  its  branches, 
which  extend  over  an  immense  country,  arrested  in  their  course  by 
a  natural  dam  which  gives  perfect  command  of  the  water;  if  we  con- 
sider that  power  must  result  from  a  small  volume  of  w^ater  falling  on 
a  wheel  of  14  feet  diameter;  and  if  we  subdivide  the  mass  of  water 
which  arrives  at  the  fall  into  equal  portions  according  to  the  volume 
before  supposed,  we  shall  be  astonished  at  the  effect  resulting  from 
this  division,  and  when  we  recollect  that  this  effect  must  be  multi- 
plied bj^  7,  to  produce  the  number  of  machines  capable  of  being  put 
into  motion,  we  may  judge  of  the  assertion,  founded  on  principles, 
that  the  Federal  city  will  enjoy  an  incalculable  advantage  for  the 
establishment  of  manufactures,  especially  as  those  manufactures 
may  be  su^Dplied  with  the  raw  materials  by  water,  and  by  water  may 
the  wrought  articles  be  exported.  It  is  undoubtedly  useless  to 
observe  that  whatever  tends  to  lessen  the  labor  of  the  hands  in 
America  is  a  clear,  unequivocal  profit,  and  the  most  certain  means 
of  accomplishing  this  saving  is  the  multij)licity  of  machines  moved 
by  water.  We  can  not,  therefore,  value  too  highly  a  iDriuciple  of 
motion  so  powerful  as  the  whole  river  Potomac,  which  demands  no 
expense  but  the  forming  of  canals,  nature  having  done  the  rest. 

If  we  remark  that  besides  the  great  number  of  avenues,  quays, 
canals,  and  public  gardens  which  have  been  here  described,  the 
author  of  the  plan  of  the  Federal  city  has  contrived  to  reserve  almost 
GO  public  squares,  each  of  which  terminates  seven  or  eight  streets,  we 
shall  hardly  ask  where  are  to  be  placed  the  temples,  the  markets,  the 
courts  of  justice,  the  academies,  the  amphitheaters,  etc.  The  time 
perhaps  has  not  arrived  to  enter  into  a  detail  of  these  objects,  whose 
disposition  must  be  founded  on  a  well-defined  plan  of  general  policy; 
it  would  then  be  proper  to  discuss  the  most  feasible  means  of  hasten- 


166  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEIOT    OP    COLUMBIA. 

ing  the  execution  of  the  garden,  of  the  canals,  of  the  wharves  and  the 
streets,  the  whole  arrangement  of  which  is  magnificent,  but  which 
would  render  the  city  of  Washington  a  charming  chimera,  if  we  did 
not  find  in  it  the  simple  and  certain  means  of  executing  the  principal 
objects,  which  may  be  regarded  as  the  basis  of  the  whole  structure. 
This  is  what  in  the  sequel  is  proposed  by  the  author  of  this  slight 
description,  who  will  now  think  his  purpose  accomplished  if  he  lias 
succeeded  in  awakening  the  attention  of  his  fellow-citizens  to  an 
establishment  which  ought  in  every  view  to  interest  them,  and  if,  in 
discussing  the  objects  just  mentioned,  he  has  furnished  for  some  able 
hand  the  occasion  of  developing  the  most  easy  and  certain  way  of 
arriving  at  the  end  proposed  in  founding  the  city  of  Washington. 


SENATE    COMMITTEE    ON    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS —NO.  10. 


INFORMAL  CONFERENCE  OF  THE  PARK  IMPROVEMENT  COM- 
MISSION OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA,  HELD  IN  THE  ROOM 
OF  THE  SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA, 
ON  OCTOBER  21, 1901. 


November  9,  1901. — Printed  for  the  use  of  the  committee. 


There  were  present  the  members  of  the  Park  Improvement  Com- 
mission, Messrs.  D.  H.  Burnham,  C.  F.  McKim,  Augustus  St.  Gaudens, 
and  Frederick  Law  Olmsted,  jr. ;  the  Commissioners  of  the  District  of 
Columbia;  Mr.  Charles  Moore,  clerk  of  the  Senate  Committee  on  the 
District  of  Columbia,  and  others. 

Mr.  Burnham.  Gentlemen,  this  commission  has  been  called  upon 
to  make  a  rejjort  to  Congress  upon  the  subject  of  park  improvements 
in  the  District  of  Columbia,  and,  desiring  to  have  all  the  assistance 
possible  in  the  framing  of  that  report,  we  have  invited  you  to  be  pres- 
ent for  an  informal  conference  to-day.  We  desire  to  have  the  views 
of  the  authorities  here.  We  feel  that  we  ourselves  are  not  as  well 
informed  as  yon  are  upon  the  subject  and  will  appreciate  any  assist- 
ance you  may  afford  us. 

Mr.  Macfarland.  Are  the  Commissioners  to  be  heard  first? 

Mr.  Burnham.  Yes,  sir. 

Mr.  Macfarland.  Although  this  is,  as  has  been  stated,  an  informal 
conference,  still,  since  there  is  to  be  a  record  of  this  meeting,  I  wish, 
on  my  own  behalf  and  on  behalf  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  District 
of  Columbia,  to  put  upon  the  record  our  great  appreciation,  officially 
and  personally,  and  as  the  representatives  of  the  people  of  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia,  of  the  work  that  is  being  done  by  this  park  com- 
mission, and  our  confidence  that  it  will  result  in  the  consummation 
of  what  we  have  been  desiring  for  many  years.  It  seems  to  us  one  of 
the  best  things  which  the  Senate  Committee  on  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia— and  particularly  its  present  chairman,  and  I  may  also  say  its 
present  clerk — have  done  for  the  District  of  Columbia. 

We  are  all  very  appreciative  of  what  this  committee — and  I  say  its 
chairman  and  its  clerk  esjjecially — have  done  for  the  District,  and 
this  seems  to  be  the  very  crown  of  its  work.     It  comes,  in  a  sense,  I 

167 


168  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

suppose,  as  one  of  the  results  of  our  centennial  celebration  of  the 
founding  of  the  District  of  Columbia  last  December,  which  seemed 
to  be  what  Bismarck  used  to  call  the  psychological  moment  of  appre- 
ciation and  recognition  on  the  part  of  Congress  and  the  country  of 
the  new  and  greater  needs  of  this  District.  The  District  of  Colum- 
bia, after  having  been  neglected  for  seventy-five  years  and  more,  has 
at  last  actually  come  into  the  favor  of  Congress  and  the  country,  and 
now  it  seems  as  though  it  were  to  receive  that  full  consideration  which 
it  so  justly  deserves  as  the  national  capital.  We  are  entering  upon 
the  labors  of  men  who  have  gone  before,  as  is  very  often  the  case, 
for  the  Commissioners  and  others  have  labored  assiduously  to  bring 
the  larger  possibilities  of  the  District  before  Congress  and  the  coun- 
try, and  at  last  the  time  has  come  when  it  seems  possible  for  it  to 
receive  its  full  consideration.  It  seems  appropriate  at  this  moment 
and  in  this  brief  way  to  express  our  appreciation  of  that  fact. 

REMARKS    OF    MR.    S.    P.    LANGLEY,    SECRETARY    OF   THE    SMITHSONIAN 

INSTITUTION. 

Mr.  BURNHAM.  The  commission  would  be  glad  to  hear  any  sugges- 
tions that  Mr.  Langley  may  have  to  make. 

Mr.  Langley.  I  have  very  little  indeed  to  say,  further  than  that 
I  think  I  may  recall  tlie  fact  that  the  Zoological  Park  partakes  some 
of  the  nature  of  a  national  museum,  and  that  it  was  founded  with  the 
distinct  ]3urpose,  laid  before  Congress,  of  keeping  alive  in  certain 
numbers  the  vanishing  races  of  the  continent — that  is,  this  part  of 
the  continent.  That  is  its  primary  function.  It  was  to  be  a  place  of 
refuge  for  the  expiring  races  of  the  buffalo  and  of  the  great  Alaskan 
animals,  and  it  was  to  keep  them  here  in  sufficient  numbers  to  be  a 
sort  of  lesson  to  the  people,  and  under  the  ej^e  of  Congress.  That 
was  the  original  plan  when  it  was  started,  and  added  to  that  was  the 
idea  that  it  should  be,  what  I  hope  it  is  turning  out  to  be — I  am  speak- 
ing for  the  Zoological  Park— a  place  of  amusement  and  entertainment 
and  instruction  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  District.  I  mention  this  in 
order  to  ask  attention  again  to  the  fact  that  it  is  in  some  respects  dif- 
ferent from  something  whose  only  object  was  the  advantage  of  the 
people  of  the  District.     It  is  for  them,  but  not  primarily  so. 

I  have  learned  or  heard — been  forced  to  hear — in  the  years  I  have 
been  connected  with  it,  a  great  deal  of  expression  of  feeling,  entirely 
unofficial,  in  the  newspapers,  that  the  District  is  called  upon  to  main- 
tain a  work  which  did  not  concern  it,  in  paying,  for  instance,  to  keep 
alive  the  bufEalo  and  the  cadiac  bear  and  things  of  that  kind,  which 
cost  money  that  might  have  been  advantageously  spent  in  the  enter- 
tainment of  the  inhabitants  of  the  District  in  other  ways.  I  do  not 
sympathize  with  or  share  that  feeling.  I  merely  mention  that  there 
is  such  a  feeling. 

Mr.  Macfarland.  I  do  not  share  that  myself. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


169 


Mr.  MoORE.  Are  the  expenses  of  the  Zoological  Park  divided? 

Mr.  Laxgley.   The3^  are  all  divided. 

Mr.  MoORE.  For  the  animals  as  well  as  for  maintenance? 

Mr.  Langley.  Yes,  sir. 

Mr.  Olmsted.  And  do  you  think  they  should  be  so  divided? 

Mr.  Langley.  Yes;  I  am  quite  willing  to  take  it  as  an  accepted  fact. 
It  was  originally  intended,  j)erhaps,  that  this  expenditui-e  should  be 
met  wholly  b}^  the  National  Government.  There  was  a  long  struggle, 
lasting  for  months,  and  finally  the  present  method  was  suggested. 

Mr.  Burnham.  Sujppose  we  go  directly  to  the  question  of  the  bound- 
aries of  Rog.k  Creek  and  discuss  that  subject. 

Mr.  Olmsted.  We  have  been  considering  this  summer,  carefully, 
in  connection  with  the  various  additions  to  the  existing  park  system, 
certain  lands  that  it  seemed  to  us  ought  to  be  added  to  rectify  and 
complete  the  boundaries  of  the  Zoological  Park  and  Rock  Creek  Park, 
and  we  would  like  very  much  to  get  your  opinion,  Mr.  Langley,  as  to 
those  boundaries,  or  suggested  boundaries,  as  we  worked  them  out 
on  this  small  sketch  map.  I  am  sorry  we  have  not  a  larger  scale  at 
present. 

Mr.  Langley.  Here  is  a  little  bit  larger  scale  of  the  Zoological  Park, 
which  is  immediately  under  consideration.  This  is  a  small  portion  of 
the  Zoological  Park. 

Mr.  Macfarland.  Where  does  your  jurisdiction  end? 

Mr.  Langley.  Here,  where  this  stream  crosses,  by  the  bridge. 

Mr.  Olmsted.  Are  these  the  additions  to  the  boundaries? 

Mr.  Langley.  They  are  what  the  former  commission  recommended. 
I  should  not  say  commission,  but  the  landscape  architects,  Messrs. 
Olmsted,  Olmsted  and  Eliot.  They  recommended  it,  and  they  had  the 
entire  concurrence  of  those  who  had  immediate  charge  of  the  jpark. 
If  you  will  allow  me,  here  is  a  slightly  larger  contour  map  of  the  park. 
I  wish  to  ask  your  attention  again  to  the,  fact  tha^  here  is  something 
of  immediate  and  imminent  urgency.  This  bank  is  tumbling  down. 
The  line  runs  directly  along  the  crest  of  the  precipice  there,  and  the 
precipice  is  tumbling  in  on  the  bears  and  every  other  animal  there. 
Then  here  [indicating]  we  have  the  well-known  nuisance,  the  old  col- 
ored cemetery.  It  really  runs  out  to  here,  and  I  believe  the  Commis- 
sioners liave  recommended  this  road,  but  it  is  not  at  all  certain  that 
it  will  be  taken.  It  is  put  in  there,  though,  as  though  it  were  an  accom- 
plished fact.  Here,  under  my  hand,  is  the  old  colored  cemetery. 
Here  is  something  which  is  very  desirable,  but  not  ot  immediate  and 
imperative  necessity.  The  most  beautiful  portion  of  the  park  is  a 
deep  ravine  which  runs  along  there  [indicating].  It  is,  unfortunately, 
bordered  by  the  Klingie  road,  which  is  almost  ready  to  fall  into  it, 
so  that  it  is  almost  impossible  to  secure  any  of  the  privacy  which 
should  l)e  a  part  of  such  a  i)lace.  Here  [indicating]  is  the  immediate 
xirgeney. 


170  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Mr.  BuRNHAM.   Where  is  the  Klingle  road? 

Mr.  Olmsted.  There  it  is.  In  this  case  we  had  assumed  that  there 
was  a  road  laid  out  on  the  highway  plan,  and  adopted  in  the  highway 
plan  substantially,  substantially  on  the  line  of  the  present  Klingle 
road,  but  for  motives  of  economy  it  had  not  extended  beyond  that  line. 
Such  a  change  as  Mr.  Langley  suggests  would  be  desirable,  although 
we  feel  as  he  does,  that  it  was  less  essential  than  some  other  points  in 
the  boundary.  The  line  that  we  have  shown  here  is  substantially^  the 
same,  and  accomplishes  the  same  results  as  the  line  shown  on  this 
map  of  Mr.  Langley's  and  but  slightl}^  different  in  line,  in  order  to 
provide  for  tlie  ultimate  construction  of  a  road  along  that  boundar3\ 
Instead  of  being  an  arbitrary  i-oad,  it  includes  the  same.  The  line  as 
they  have  drawn  it  here  obtains  the  results  of  securing  the  top  of  the 
precipice,  and  the  precise  direction  and  shape  of  the  line  is  such  as 
to  provide  a  road  along  it  in  the  future. 

Mr   BuRNHAM.  You  simply  do  the  same  as  he  does. 

Mr.  Olmsted.  Yes,  substantially  the  same  line.  At  this  line  [indi- 
cating] a  slightly  increased  fating  is  suggested  on  account  of  the 
desirability  of  carrying  that  road  around  the  edge  of  the  hill  and  get- 
ting into  one  of  the  roads  they  are  now  building,  in  accordance  with 
the  highway  plan. 

Mr.  BuRNHAM.  That  will  be  satisfactory  to  you? 

Mr.  Langley.  Quite  so.  If  you  will  indulge  me  in  a  personal  remi- 
niscence, I  will  say  that  when  I  came  to  Washington  I  found  this  most 
beautiful  of  all  portions  of  the  environs.  It  was  close  to  the  city  and 
in  some  way  had  been  s^^ared  the  hand  of  the  local  improver,  the  per- 
son who  liad  laid  out  the  roads  and  such  things.  I  rode  all  over  it  and 
made  myself  acquainted  with  every  foot  of  it.  I  have  traveled  a  great 
deal  in  past  years,  but  have  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  here  is 
a  place  which  no  other  city  possesses.  I  can  not  say  too  much  about 
the  natural  characteristics  of  it. 

Mr.  Macfarland.  And  your  work  is  highly  appreciated. 

Mr.  Langley.  Thank  you.  What  I  want  is  to  have  the  Commis- 
sioners induce  Congress  to  give  us  an  addition  of  some  8  or  10  acres. 
That  addition  is  very  much  needed,  and  in  one  place  it  is  absolutely 
indisiiensable. 

As  to  the  rest,  I  should  like,  while  I  am  speaking,  to  say  that  there 
is  a  portion  of  the  park  just  above  here  [indicating],  which  if  the 
commissioners  of  the  upper  park  would  feel  like  sparing  out  of  the 
2,000  acres  immediately  contiguous,  I  would  be  very  glad  to  see  it 
added,  so  that  we  could  place  some  of  our  animals  that  want  grazing 
ground  in  that  little  flat  land  at  the  foot  of  the  Klingle  place.  It  is 
immediately  contiguous  on  the  other  side  of  the  bridge.  I  do  not 
know  the  precise  acreage.  I  struggled  very  hard  to  get  that  Klingle 
place  in.  I  was  at  that  time,  and  am  still,  the  commissioner  for  the 
judgment  of  taxation  in  the  upper  park.     It  sounds  rather  paradox- 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  171 

ical  to  say  that  there  may  be  au  act  of  Congress  stating  that  you 
could  get  more  than  1,000  feet  from  the  bank  of  the  stream,  and  that 
could  be  utilized  in  a  hundred  different  ways,  and  take  in  a  hundred 
different  grades. 

Mr.  Olmsted.  There  is  a  piece  of  land  suggested  as  an  addition  to 
the  park  that  you  have  not  mentioned,  namely,  that  along  Connecti- 
cut avenue — bring  the  Zoological  Park  out  to  Connecticut  avenue- 
out  to  where  the  entrance  is  now.  That  would  be  a  very  desirable 
addition  to  the  park,  but  we  have  not  shown  that  because  of  the 
extreme  cost  of  that  land  fronting  on  Connecticut  avenue.  We  have 
left  that  simply  with  the  entrance  as  now  shown. 

Mr.  Langley.  I  think  it  would  be  desirable  to  have  that,  but  if  we 
are  to  choose  among  desirable  and  most  desirable  things,  certainly  I 
should  not  think  that  the  most  urgent. 

Mr.  Olmsted.  Personally,  I  should  like  very  much  to  see  it  added 
to  the  Zoological  Park,  but  It  would  certainly  be  a  very  large  expense, 
as  compared  with  the  other  lands  in  those  just  as  available  additions 
to  Rock  Creek  Park,  for  instance. 

Mr.  Langley.  If  the  Commissioners  could  see  their  way  to  recom- 
mending this  [indicating] — it  is  purely  in  the  landscape  interest — I 
think  it  ought  to  be  done.  I  repeat  that  the  most  beautiful  single 
thing  in  the  park  is  hidden;  it  is  hardly  known  to  exist — this  road, 
under  the  road  here  that  has  almost  fallen  into  it.  We  want  to  be 
able  to  put  that  road  a  little  back  and  make  a  hiding  screen  of  some 
kind. 

Mr.  Moore.  When  yon  get  through  with  the  park  matter  we  would 
like  to  hear  from  you  upon  the  matter  of  a  new  building  for  the 
National  Museum. 

Mr.  Langley.  Shall  I  speak  of  that  now? 

Mr.  BURNHAM.  Yes;  we  would  like  to  talk  with  you  about  that. 

Mr.  Langley.  Gentlemen,  I  did  not  come  prepared  to  speak  about 
that,  but  if  you  will  take  my  suggestions  as  altogether  informal,  I 
will  say  that  the  Smithsonian  Institution  had,  some  twenty  j'ears  ago, 
a  somewhat  considerable  museum,  wliich  consisted  of  deposits  made 
by  the  nation,  of  things  which  it  had  purchased,  and  which  it  was 
maintaining  out  of  its  own  private  fund  wholly.  My  honored  prede- 
cessor, Prof  essor  Henry,  was  desirous  of  having  the  Government  assume 
that  wholly,  and  finally  secured  an  appropriation  for  a  national 
museum,  which  resulted  in  the  erection  of  the  cheapest  building  which 
was  ever  produced,  I  believe,  in  any  countrj-  for  such  a  purpose — the 
present  building  down  there.  I  forget  how  many  acres  it  covers,  but 
there  are  several,  and  it  cost  in  all  about  $250,000  for  this  enormous 
building.  It  was  built  with  proportionate  rapidity  and  proportionate 
inadequacy.  When  I  came  here  in  1887,  the  building  had  already 
grown  so  full  that  nothing  more  could  be  put  into  it  with  regard  to 
the  purposes  of  a  museum.     Three  years  after  that,  in  1890  or  1891, 1 


172 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


reported  to  Congress  that  it  was  growing  overcrowded,  and  that  in  two 
or  three  years  more  it  would  be  a  storehouse  simply,  without  any  room 
for  display.  Since  then  the  evil  has  grown  from  bad  to  worse,  and 
Congress  has  appropriated  small  sums  for  such  purposes  as  the  build- 
ing of  galleries,  which  simply  darken  what  ought  to  be  light,  and  for 
adjacent  buildings  of  wood  or  brick  which  are  used  simply  as  store- 
houses. 

I  do  not  know  how  to  say  anything  in  addition  to  what  I  have 
already  said  to  Congress,  only  I  wish  that  what  I  say  may  not  be  taken 
literally,  and  not  as  a  careful  statement  within  the  exact  facts.  The 
building,  however,  is  congested  and  overcrowded  until  we  do  not  know 
where  to  turn.  It  is  more  of  a  warehouse  tlian  a  museum.  I  should 
say  that  we  have  uom^  from  two  to  three  times  the  number  of  things  in 
the  space  which  should  be  devoted  to  them.  If  j^ou  go  to  a  place  like 
thegi'eat  museum  in  New  York  and  see  the  open  spaces  there  and  the 
proj)er  display,  it  is  comparable  to  a  place  into  which  rubbish  had 
been  thrown. 

Mr.  BURNHAM.  As  I  understand,  j^ou  think  now  that  possibly  the 
material  you  have  would  properly  cover  three  times  the  space? 

Mr.  Langley.  Properly,  yes,  if  it  were  displayed  properly.  I  beg 
to  say  that  this  is  not  an  official  statement. 

Mr.  Moore.  We  understand.  This  is  for  the  use  of  the  commis- 
sion only. 

Mr.  BuRNHAM.   We  want  you  to  help  us  out  with  your  suggestions. 

Mr.  Langley.  Ten  years  ago  I  presented  to  Congress  some  drawings 
of  a  museum  which  would  remove  this  pressure,  but  they  were  utterly 
inadequate  in  their  architectural  effects ;  it  was  simply  a  larger  ware- 
house. That  was  all  I  was  encouraged  to  present,  but  I  think  that 
Congress  is  now  reaching  the  conclusion — if  I  may  judge  from  what  I 
hear  from  the  committee  on  that  subject — that  something  must  be 
done. 

Mr.  BuRNHAM.  You  believe  that  the  present  building  is  not  capable 
of  being  made  what  a  national  museum  should  be? 

Mr.  Langley.  I  can  only  repeat  that  the  present  building  cost  some- 
thing like  $250,000,  when  materials  were  cheaper,  and  it  is  one  story 
high.  Its  floors  are  falling  into  ruin,  and  it  is  grotesquelj'  inadequate. 
What  I  have  asked  of  Congress  this  year  has  been  to  appropriate  a 
sum  for  making  suitable  skilled  plans  for  a  new  building.  I  have  not 
at  once  asked  for  the  building. 

Mr.  BuRNHAM.  Where  would  you  suggest  the  erection  of  a  building? 

Mr.  Langley.  There  is  no  room  for  a  new  building  on  the  present 
site.  The  Smithsonian  Institution  owns  only  about  20  acres  out  of 
what  is  called  the  Smithsonian  Park,  and  I  would  suggest  that  a 
proj^er  and  adequate  place  for  the  new  building  would  be  a  little  in 
front  and  to  the  east  of  the  Institution.  I  do  not  know  whether  it 
enters  into  the  plans  of  the  commissioners  to  open  a  clear  space  up  to 


PAKK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTKICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


173 


Pennsylvania  avenue,  but  one  of  the  buildings  that  might  be  seen 
from  the  avenue,  and  prominently,  would  be  a  museum  building 
covering  a  space  which  I  would  only  say  must  be  something  similar 
to  the  new  Library  of  Congress,  and  which  I  most  earnestly  hope 
would  aim  to  be  in  its  architectural  effect  something  worthy  of  the 
occasion. 

Mr.  MoORE.  Have  you  made  any  figures  as  to  how  large  the  build- 
ing should  be? 

Mr.  Langley.  Yes;  I  have  made  a  memorandum  that  I  would  want 
to  consult  %\ath  the  gentleman  in  immediate  charge  of  the  Museum 
about,  involving  some  skilled  plans.  It  would  depend  somewhat  on 
the  number  of  stories.     We  have  only  one  story  now. 

Mr.  BuRNHAM.  How  many  stories  should  a  museum  l)e? 

Mr.  Langley\  I  do  not  know.  We  should  not  have  one  of  those 
sky-scraping  buildings,  evidently,  but  short  of  that  I  do  not  know 
that  there  is  any  limit.  The  best  museums  which  one  sees  in  London 
are  three  and  four  stories  high — the  extension  of  South  Kensington, 
for  instance.  I  think  we  might  consider  the  possibility  of  even  a 
four-story  building,  and  in  that  case  the  ground  plan  would  be  com- 
paratively smaller. 

Mr.  Moore.  Would  it  be  necessary  to  have  it  in  any  immediate 
relatioushii)  with  the  present  Smithsonian  Institution  building? 

Mr.  Langley''.  It  would  be  desirable.  The  Institution  and  the 
Museum  are  dovetailed  together  like  the  web  and  woof  of  a  piece  of 
cloth,  you  understand.  It  woiild  be  hard  to  say  where  one  begins 
and  the  other  ends. 

Mr.  MoORE.  You  think  it  would  be  jproper  to  have  it  in  the  j^resent 
Smithsonian  Park? 

Mr.  Langley'.  Yes,  sir;  I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that,  and 
in  giving  it  as  my  opinion  that  that  would  be  a  proper  place  for  it. 

Mr.  Olmsted.  Would  there  be  any  advisability  in  regard  to  the 
subdivision  of  the  Museum  into  mngs,  or  possibly  detached  build- 
ings? It  covers  such  a  large  field  that  it  occurred  to  me  that  might 
possibly  be  necessary — special  museums  or  special  departments  of 
working  collections  connected  with  the  central  administrative  oflices, 
the  detached  buildings  containing  the  bulk  of  the  very  enormous 
working  collection  in  the  special  department. 

Mr.  Langley.  Those  working  collections,  I  may  say,  occupj^  a 
vastly  greater  space  than  the  public  supposes.  The  public  thinks  of 
a  museum  as  a  show  for  its  entertainment.  The  curators  of  a 
museum,  perhaps  going  to  the  other  extreme,  think  of  it  as  a  great 
scientific  laboratory  which  the  public  is  allowed  to  look  into  the  win- 
dows of.  The  latter  view  is  not  to  be  dismissed  altogether.  The 
space  which  is  required  for  getting  those  things  together  is  larger 
than  the  space  required  for  show. 

Mr.  Olmsted.  I  would  rather  suppose  that  that  is  the  case,  and  I 


174 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


was  inquiring"  whether  or  not  it  might  not  work  out  better  to  have  the 
great  working  collections  with 'the  laboratories,  each  in  its  own  wing 
of  the  building,  grouping  together  the  show  collections  for  the  public 
in  the  main  or  central  building,  and  somewhat  separating  them  from 
the  great  masses  of  working  collections. 

Mr.  Langley.  That  is  a  question  for  the  architect  of  the  Museum. 
I  am  not  a  museum  expert,  like  my  lamented  predecessor,  Mr.  Goode, 
but  those  things  which  are  immediately  connected  with  the  necessities 
of  the  case  I  can  speak  confidently  of.  If  you  have  a  gallery  of 
ethnological  antiquities — for  instance,  the  Indians — in  some  part  of  the 
Museum,  j^ou  want  to  step  from  the  showcase  to  the  place  where 
the  antiquities  are  being  gotten  ready;  in  other  words,  it  might  be  as 
though — if  I  may  illustrate  it  in  tliat  way — you  had  the  behind  the 
scenes  of  a  theater  in  a  distinct  building  from  the  stage.  They  have 
to  be  together,  and  the  only  question  is,  what  is  the  best  way  of 
bringing  them  together.  I  think  it  is  better  to  bring  them  very  close 
together. 

Mr.  Moore.  You  have  what  is  known  as  a  very  popular  collection; 
you  have  histoi'ical  relics.     About  what  proportion  does  that  occupy? 

Mr.  Langley.  Those  relics  of  Washington  and  Grant  are  very 
trival  in  the  space  they  take  up,  though  they  are  not  trival  in  impor- 
tance. We  did  not  manufacture  them.  They  do  not  require  any 
immediate  adjacent  woorkrooms,  as  everything  else  does. 

Mr.  Moore.  So  there  is  one  part  of  the  Museum  that  is  in  the 
highest  degree  popular,  and  the  other  in  the  least  degree  popular. 

Mr.  Langley.  I  would  hardly  say  that.  There  is  a  great  deal  of 
interest  that  attaches  to  those  other  things.  I  do  not  mean  to  say 
that  it  is  not  popular.  I  trust  it  is  all  popular.  But  a  great  deal  of 
it  is  the  work  of  scholars  and  students  working  in  the  interest  of 
anthropology  or  some  other  branch  of  science  of  interest  to  the  public 
also,  while  such  things  as  Washington  wore  at  Trenton  evidently  are 
of  interest. 

Mr.  Moore.  Are  you  on  the  Rock  Creek  Board? 

Mr.  Langley.  It  is  so  long  since  I  was  there  that  I  can  not  answer 
positively.     I  know  I  was  at  one  time. 

Mr.  Macparland.  The  present  board  of  control  are  the  Commis- 
sioners of  the  District  of  Columbia  and  the  Chief  of  Engineers. 

Mr.  Langley.  No;  I  am  not  on  that  board;  but  my  impression  is 
that  I  have  some  remote  official  connection  with  the  upper  park  in 
determining  the  question  of  taxation. 


SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS,  NO.  11. 


EXTRACT   FROM  A  PAPER  ON  THE  COMMERCIAL  VALUE  OF 
BEAUTY,  BY  DANIEL  H.  BURNHAM. 


January  28,  1902. — Printed  for  the  use  of  the  committee. 


The  time  comes  in  the  histoiy  of  eveiy  great  city  when  the  govern- 
ment of  it  fosters  the  building-  of  public  works  for  their  beauty.  The 
governmental  purpose  for  doing  this  has  varied;  one  ruling  power  has 
been  actuated  by  a  desire  to  satisfy  its  own  taste,  while  another  has 
exerted  itself  in  order  to  divert  the  minds  of  the  people  or  to  make 
them  believe  that  their  happiness  was  the  end  in  view.  But  the 
pleasure  and  happiness  of  the  people  has  not  always  been  a  main 
object.  Many  princes  have  fostered  the  l)uilding  of  monumental  worfo 
in  order  to  establish  and  maintain  prosperity  for  the  people  and  with 
very  little  thought  of  merel}^  pleasing  them. 

In  Athens  is  the  best  example  of  this  policy.  After  an  unparalleled 
career  of  commerce  there  came  the  end  of  that  which  had  produced 
the  wealth  of  Attica.  It  happened  at  a  time  when  their  control  of 
the  Hellenic  alliance  was  disturbed  and  in  danger  of  being  desti'oyed; 
when  the  influence  of  the  western  Mediterranean  was  growing,  while 
that  of  the  archipelago  was  on  the  wane;  when  the  trade  of  Athens 
was  serioush^  threatened.  Then  Pericles  came  into  power — a  man 
who  deeply  appreciated  the  fine  arts.  Himself  an  orator  of  the  first 
rank,  he  was  in  sympathy  with  the  work  of  the  painter,  the  sculptor, 
and  the  architect;  but  above  all,  he  was  a  statesman,  and  one  who  had 
the  brain  to  devise  a  great  plan  and  the  nerve  to  carry  it  into  execu- 
tion— a  plan  having  for  its  purpose  the  preservation  and  even  the 
increase  of  the  prosperity  of  his  native  city.  We  can  imagine  that  he 
said  to  those  around  him: 

It  may  be  that  the  western  colonies  are  to  surpass  us  in  wealth;  that  as  men  have 
hitherto  flocked  tons  they  will  hereafter  follow  the  sun,  because  of  the  greater  oppor- 
tunities afforded  in  the  Occident  for  the  profitable  employment  of  their  energies.  I 
do  not  see  that  we  can  prevent  their  going,  but  w'e  can  make  sure  that  having  made 
their  fortunes  they  will  come  back  to  Athens  to  enjoy  them. 

I  believe  that  this  purpose  was  in  his  mind  when  he  gathered  together 
all  the  funds  that  he  could  control  and  with  them  built  those  monu- 
ments which  have  made  Athens  famous.     Her  supremacy  did  leave 

175 


176  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

her,  })ut  the  results  of  Pericles's  foresight  are  still  in  force,  as  is  proven 
by  the  fact  that  the  people  of  southern  Greece  even  now  owe  much  of 
their  income  to  the  presence  among  them  of  travelers  who  visit  that 
country  in  order  to  gaze  upon  those  splendid  works  which  were  built 
under  a  political  genius  who  discovered  the  best  method  of  perpetu- 
ating the  prosperity  of  a  city. 

The  magnet  of  Athens  is  her  monuments,  the  strength  of  which 
seems  ever  increasing.  When  the  buildings  on  the  Acropolis  and  the 
architectural  remains  that  lie  in  or  near  that  city  shall  have  disap- 
peared, Athens  will  no  longer  interest  travelers.  Many  other  cities 
still  prosper  whose  commerce  has  departed  and  which  are  no  longer 
helped  by  the  influence  that  originally  built  them  up.  Rome,  Cairo, 
Venice,  Florence,  each  continue  to  attract  the  wealthy  and  the  leisure 
class  of  the  outer  world.  They  visit  these  cities  in  great  number,  and 
will  continue  to  do  so  as  long  as  their  public  monuments  endure. 

There  is  a  modern  example  which  equals  that  of  any  ancient  city  in 
its  power  of  attraction,  and  we  must  applaud  the  foresight  of  Louis 
Napoleon,  who  is  said  to  have  lavished  a  sum  equal  to  $50,000,000, 
through  the  hands  of  Baron  Hausseman,  for  the  public  improvements 
which  make  Paris  a  mecca  for  travelers.  Fifty  millions  of  dollars  is 
a  large  sum,  yet  I  am  told  that  there  ever}^  year  foreigners  spend  not 
ess  than  three  hundred  millions,  on  which  the  profit  to  the  inhabitants 
of  the  city  is  sixty  millions,  or  more  than  the  Emperor  laid  out  in 
accomplishing  his  purpose.  A  pretty  good  venture,  you  will  agree 
with  me,  returning,  as  it  annually  does,  more  than  100  per  cent  on  the 
investment. 

Beauty  in  the  public  work  of  a  cit}^  has  always  paid.  What  would 
the  prosperity  of  the  inhabitants  of  Paris  be  if  she  were  mereh^  a  con- 
venient city,  nothing  more?  Suppose  that  Chicago  and  Paris  could 
be  interchanged;  that  they  be  sinuiltaneously  placed  each  in  the  other's 
location?  Do  you  doubt  that  the  Parisians  would  tind  it  difhcult  to 
live,  or  that  the  people  of  Chicago  would  favorabl}^  feel  the  effect  of 
the  change?  We  must  continue  to  live  here,  no  matter  how  depressed 
the  times.  Ask  our  merchants  and  manufacturers  whether  or  not  the 
percentage  of  profit  on  their  sales  is  what  it  once  was,  and  the}^  will 
tell  you  that  their  gains  are  smaller  than  in  the  past,  considering  the 
volume  of  business  they  now  do,  and  I  fear  the}'  will  also  tell  3'ou 
that  there  is  not  much  hope  of  increasing  the  percentage  of  profits. 

If  this  be  true,  our  supremacy  in  commerce  is  not  so  sure  as  once  it 
was;  the  influence  which  made  the  cit}'  known  throughout  the  world 
IS  far  less  potent,  and  is  constantly  diminishing.  All  thoughtful  men 
know  that  this  is  true;  but  perhaps  we  ma}"  live  contentedly  on  and 
not  suffero  This  might  be  quite  sure  were  it  not  for  a  grave  danger 
that  threatens  us^ — 1  mean  the  tendency  of  our  wealthy  people  to  spend 
their  time  and  money  elsewhere.     While  comparatively  few  travelers 


PAKK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  177 

visit  us  for  pleasure,  our  own  people  of  the  leisure  class  are  absenting 
themselves.  At  the  same  time  those  in  this  country  who  grow  rich 
elsewhere  do  not  coine  here,  but  go  to  other  cities  where  they  find 
material  conditions  much  more  pleasant  than  we  have.  It  is  our 
American  absentees  who  make  foreign  towns  prosperous.  Their 
expenditures  enrich  the  traders,  large  and  small,  who  deal  directly  in 
all  the  luxuries  of  life  in  the  places  where  they  sojourn.  I  do  not 
know  the  amount  of  profits  made  here  and  spent  elsewhere,  but  it 
must  be  ver}^  large,  while  the  money  spent  among  us  b}^  pleasure 
seekers  is  3'earh"  growing  less. 

And  why  do  not  visitors  come  among  us  as  they  go  to  Paris,  and 
why  do  our  wealthy  people  absent  themselves?  If  this  cit}^  were  as 
pleasant  to  them  as  Paris  is,  would  the}^  not  remain  at  home,  as  do  the 
Parisians?  The  argument  needs  not  to  be  further  expanded.  Those 
who  have  plenty  of  leisure  and  monej^  at  their  disposal  naturalh"  seek 
the  most  delightful  places  to  live  in;  but  while  the}"  ma}^  be  justified 
in  doing  this,  we  must  remember  that  their  presence  or  absence  makes 
the  difl'erence  between  prosperity  and  comparative!}^  hard  times  in  any 
great  city.  It  is  plain,  therefore,  that  it  pays  any  people  to  do  all  in 
their  power  to  make  life  agreeable  to  this  class  of  people,  because  they 
are  deeply  interested  in  what  they  do.  Is  not  the  beauty  of  a  city  the 
deciding  factor  in  this  problem?  New  York  has  in  the  last  year  taken 
a  long  step  in  the  right  direction.  It  now  has  a  public  commission, 
three  members  of  which  are  by  law  nominated  by  the  art  societies  of 
the  city.  This  commission  has  the  final  decision  on  all  questions 
touching  the  appearance  of  the  parks,  monuments,  and  other  public 
improvements.  A  law  has  recently  been  proposed  in  the  State  legis- 
lature of  New  York  to  facilitate  the  beautifying  of  towns  in  that  State. 
I  have  not  the  details  of  it,  but  the  mere  fact  of  its  being  introduced 
and  urged  illustrates  that  the  value  of  lovely  public  surroundings  is 
beginning  to  be  understood. 

P  1—03 12 


SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS.— NO.  12. 


CENTENNIAL    AVENUE 


February  3.  1902. — Printed  for  the  use  of  the  committee. 


EDITORIALS  FROM  THE  EVENING  STAR. 

Centennial  Avenue. 

(February  22,  1900.) 

The  decision  of  the  capital  centennial  committee  to  press  the  proj- 
ect of  a  grand  Centennial  avenue  to  be  cut  through  the  Mall  from  the 
Capitol  to  the  river  is  hardly  in  the  line  expected  to  be  developed. 
That  is  in  effect  a  new  scheme  unverified  by  official  surveys,  virtually 
unheralded  and  unknown,  and  of,  as  yet,  doubtful  propriety.  It  is 
indeed,  vague  in  its  details.  It  has  a  faint  basis  in  the  fact  that 
L'Enfant  included  in  his  original  plan  of  the  cit}^ — which  has  been  so 
far  and  so  long  departed  from  in  many  respects  that  it  is  scarcely  now 
to  be  recognized — a  project  for  the  location  of  the  Government  build- 
ings on  either  side  of  the  Mall,  forming  a  grand  park,  flanked  by 
architectural  creations  of  beauty  and  utility.  But  this  new  Centen- 
nial avenue  plan  is  apparently  different.  If  it  l)e  coupled  with  the 
clearing  away  of  all  the  private  buildings  south  of  Pennsjdvania 
avenue,  well  and  good.  If,  however,  it  contemplates  the  establish- 
ment of  a  governmental  boulevard  bordering  the  Mall  without  affect- 
ing Pennsylvania  avenue  in  any  respect,  then  the  consensus  of 
opinion  here  will  unquestionably  be  against  it.  The  effect  would  be 
to  make  Pennsylvania  avenue  virtually  a  back  street.  It  will,  how- 
ever, always  remain  the  scene  of  great  pageants.  It  is  the  most 
direct  route  from  the  Capitol  to  the  White  House,  while  the  Centen- 
nial avenue,  as  far  as  the  plan  has  been  explained,  leaves  the  White 
House  considerably  to  the  north. 

It  is  to  be  noted,  furthermore,  that  the  project  which,  it  is  under- 
stood, forms  the  basis  of  the  plan  adopted  by  the  committee  contem- 
plates placing  the  municipal  building  on  the  market-house  square. 

179 


180  PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Th;tt  would  be  the  only  public  structure  extending  through  from  one 
avenue  to  the  other.  All  others  would  front  upon  the  new  boulevard, 
with  their  back  doors  i^ointing  toward  Pennsylvania  avenue  as  far  as 
the  ]3ublic  land  might  extend. 

The  committee's  action  is,  of  course,  only  advisor3^  It  remains  to 
be  ratified  by  Congress.  Doubtless  in  the  discussion  of  the  whole 
centennial  enterprise  before  the  Houses  the  precise  features  of  this 
plan  will  be  exploited,  giving  opportunity  to  com]3are  it  with  the  more 
substantial  scheme  of  clearing  out  all  of  the  south  avenue  land  and 
using  it  for  future  public  buildings,  irrespective  of  the  later  evolution 
of  a  boulevard  to  serve  as  an  approach  to  the  forthcoming  Memorial 
Bridge.  There  will  likewise  be  occasion  to  see  how  this  new  proposi- 
tion squares  with  the  pending  measure  to  readjust  the  lines  of  the 
Pennsjdvanla  Railroad's  terminal,  which  is  directly  affected  by  the 
Centennial  avenue  x^roposition.  Until  the  project  is  thus  set  forth  in 
plain  terms,  and  in  a  manner  to  commend  itself  to  the  full  approval 
of  everybody  concerned  in  the  creation  of  the  ideal  capital,  the  citi- 
zens of  Washington  will  reserve  their  judgment  and  hope  that  the 
centennial  will  be  marked  by  a  genuine  creation  of  lasting  utility  and 
beauty. 


WHY    TWO    NATIONAL    AVENUES   NOW? 

(February  23,  1900.) 

The  iDroposition  to  provide  a  grand  national  boulevard  along  the 
Mall  commends  itself  to  some  minds  because  of  the  fact  that  it  would 
afford  a  magnificent  avenue  whereon  great  pageants  would  appear. 
There  is  already  a  thoroughfare  entirely  fitted  for  such  use,  associated 
with  many  historic  memories  and  recognized  to-day  b}^  the  people  of 
all  the  States  as  the  natural  j)arade  ground  for  these  imposing  pro- 
cessions. This  is  Pennsylvania  avenue,  whose  advantages  are  manj" 
and  whose  opportunities  for  further  beautification  are  limited  only  by 
the  disposition  of  Congress.  Why  provide  a  new  avenue  when  there 
is  one  at  hand  already,  especially'  as  the  use  of  the  new  one  in  the 
manner  anticipated  will  perhaps  result  in  making  a  back  street  of  the 
older  one,  despite  its  history  and  its  capacity  for  coping  with  modern 
conditions?  The  stroke  of  surplusage  does  not  commend  itself  at  first 
glance  to  the  most  practical  thought  of  the  people.  There  is  every 
probability  that  the  grand  future  of  this  city  will  require  that  tlie 
Government  occupj^  all  of  the  land  between  Pennsylvania  avenue  and 
the  Mall.  When  that  time  comes,  a  new  and  splendid  avenue  through 
the  Mall,  with  public  buildings  and  possibly  State  buildings  along  its 
length,  would  be  a  fine  feature  and  a  necessity.  The  beginning  of 
this  work  should  be  where  it  is  most  needed,  and  that  place  is  the 
south  side  of  Pennsylvania  avenue. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  181 

PRESERVE   THE    PARKS. 

(March  3,  1900.) 

The  Centennial  avenue  proposition  is  a  distinct  violation  of  the 
park  principle,  the  maintenance  of  which  has  made  Washington  one 
of  the  beauty  spots  of  this  continent.  The  great  Mall,  with  its  succes- 
sion of  broad  areas  devoted  artistically  to  combinations  of  lawn  and 
wooded  growths,  forms  one  of  the  city's  most  distinctive  features. 
Its  arrangement  was  in  accordance  with  the  careful  designs  of  A.  J. 
Downing,  the  distinguished  architect  and  landscape  gardener,  who  in 
1851  was  called  to  Washington  to  lay  out  the  public  grounds  of  the 
national  capital.  He  was  recognized  throughout  the  country'  and 
abroad  as  "the  chief  American  authority  on  rural  art,"  and  his  admi- 
rable designs  for  the  Smithsonian  grounds,  with  choice  tree  groups, 
graceful  winding  drives,  and  pleasant  shaded  walks,  resulted  in  mak- 
ing that  line  of  parking  a  beauty  spot  and  a  subject  of  admiration  to 
all  visitors.  With  the  Botanic  Garden  at  one  end  and  the  Monument 
grounds  at  the  other,  this  great  stretch  stands  for  a  tangible  evidence 
of  the  theory  upon  which  the  capital  is  founded,  that  in  making  of  a 
seat  of  government  there  can  not  be  too  much  parking  or  too  much 
care  in  preserving  it  from  encroachment. 

The  plan  is  now  to  cut  a  straight  avenue  through  this  Mall,  at  one 
side,  in  a  diagonal  line,  not  in  liarmou}^  with  any  of  the  natural  or 
artificial  features  of  the  great  park,  nor  in  accordance  with  any  of  its 
present  or  proper  uses.  It  is  further  proposed  to  utilize  the  grounds 
lying  adjacent  to  this  avenue  as  sites  for  public  buildings  yet  to  be 
erected,  thus  violating  the  sanctity  of  the  parks,  which  has  been 
preserved,  in  the  main,  by  dint  of  the  most  strenuous  endeavor  and 
some  sacrifices.  The  avenue  will  not  partake  of  the  graceful  nature 
of  the  landscape  gardening  through  which  it  will  ruthlessly  cut. 
Straight,  uncompromising,  ugly,  it  would  be  a  mere  street  through 
what  is  now  a  series  of  woodland  jDarks.  It  will  soon  take  on  all  the 
characteristics  of  a  thoroughfare,  which  are  incompatible  with  the 
park  nature. 

Already  the  Mall  has  been  invaded  by  buildings  because  of  the 
parsimony  of  Congress.  There  was  but  a  feeble  objection  to  the 
introduction  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  there,  for  its  nature 
befitted  it  to  the  seclusion  of  the  park  and  its  architecture  blended 
harmoniousl}'  with  the  dense  foliage  of  the  forest  growth.  The 
Department  of  Agriculture,  however,  was  a  mistake,  while  the 
National  Museum  was  only  to  be  excused  on  the  ground  of  its  like- 
ness in  organizational  character  to  the  Smithsonian,  a  biscuit-toss 
away.  But  for  the  sternly  practical,  forbidding  Medical  Museum 
there  was  never  a  valid  excuse,  and  the  capital  has  always  deplored 
this  invasion  and  violation  of  the  park  principle.  It  was  hoped  that 
these  four  builings,  constituting  a  group  of  scientific  organizations, 


182  PAEK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

would  remain  the  solitary  occupants  of  the  Mall  aside  from  the 
Fish  Commission  Office,  doomed  to  early  removal,  and  a  magnifi- 
cent memorial  shaft  at  the  western  end,  destined  for  a  significant 
permanence. 

Now  comes  the  plan  to  despoil  the  park,  to  locate  all  the  future 
public  buildings  within  its  limits,  to  cut  it  in  twain  hy  an  inartistic 
street,  and  to  change  its  original  character  entirely.  It  is  no  wonder 
that  the  scheme  is  rejected  by  the  most  advanced  and  public  spirited 
of  the  citizens  as  unworthy  the  great  occasion  with  which  it  is  asso- 
ciated and  a  positive  detriment  to  the  artistic  and  the  material  pro- 
gression of  the  capital.  There  is  room  in  plenty  for  the  buildings  yet 
to  be  built  without  invading  the  parks.  There  are  grander  oppor- 
tunities for  city  adornment  than  this,  which  represents  such  a  direct 
sacrifice  of  principle  and  public  space.  The  only  course  of  safety  is 
to  stand  firmly  in  opposition  to  the  plan.  Once  it  is  adopted,  there  is 
no  guaranty  for  the  future.  Whereas  now  Congress  is  chary  about 
buying  sites  for  public  buildings,  always  counting  the  cost  and  the  diffi- 
culty of  selection,  with  the  park-site  principle  established  there  will 
be  no  barrier  to  prevent  the  frequent  and  lavish  expenditure  of  this 
beauty  and  breathing  space  for  public  buildings  uses. 

It  is  only  by  the  maintenance  of  high  ideals  that  great  ends  are 
achieved.  The  great  end  here  is  the  evolution  of  a  capital  worthy 
the  countrj^  and  the  times — a  city  of  rare  beauty  and  convenience, 
of  dignity  and  good  government.  The  Centennial  avenue  project 
means  a  loosening  of  the  grip  upon  this  ideal,  and  is,  therefore,  a 
retrogression  wholly  out  of  keeping  with  the  historical  significance  of 
the  occasion.  There  are  better  ways  of  marking  the  centenary — con- 
structive instead  of  destructive,  XDrogressive  rather  than  reactionary. 
Let  them  be  adopted  and  urged,  and  let  this  misconceived  scheme  be 
dropped  without  further  ado. 


WHY?   AND   WHAT? 

(March  5,  1900.) 

Why  do  they  call  the  proposed  roadway — which  leads  from  nowhere 
to  nowhere,  and  which,  in  doing  so,  will  longitudinally  bisect  and 
measurably  destroy  one  of  our  finest  and  most  accessible  parks — why 
do  they  call  it  a  "  boulevard?  "  The  meaning  of  that  term,  according 
to  the  lexicons,  is:  "  First,  originally  a  bulwark  or  rampart  of  a  for- 
tified town;  second,  a  public  walk  or  street  occupying  the  site  of  a 
demolished  fortification."  There  is,  therefore,  no  excuse  foi  the 
snobbery  of  lugging  into  our  vernacular  this  awkward  foreign  term, 
which  is  not  in  the  least  degree  applicable  to  the  proposed  roadway 
or  to  any  other  thoroughfare  in  Washington  —or  in  any  other  city  in 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  183 

the  United  States,  for  that  matter.  Let  us  therefore  drop  it  in  all 
cases. 

Again — and  this  query  is  more  important  than  the  other — of  what 
earthly  use  is  the  proposed  roadway  going  to  be,  if  made?  Its  first 
effect  will  be  to  despoil  the  park.  That  being  done,  what  is  the  gain? 
It  can  serve  no  purpose  of  either  utility  or  beauty.  No  right-minded 
person  will  seriously  claim  that  a  straight,  wide  street  cut  through  a 
park  or  grove  will  be  half  as  attractive  from  any  point  of  view  as  ser- 
pentine paths  and  driveways — like  those  in  the  Smithsonian  grounds, 
for  example.  But  suppose  it  to  be  laid  out.  Then  what?  It  can  be 
of  little  practical  use,  because  it  does  not  connect  or  accommodate 
centers  of  population.  To  talk  of  it  as  a  street  for  parades  is  simply 
absurd.  Given  a  street  of  suitable  width,  and  the  next  essential 
requisite  for  purposes  of  parades  and  like  demonstrations  is  that  it 
shall  afford  ample  facilities  for  witnessing  such  spectacles.  In  other 
words,  it  should  be  lined  with  rows  of  residences  or  business  houses, 
supplied  with  plenty  of  windows,  balconies,  doorways,  etc.,  for  the 
temporary  accommodation  of  vast  crowds  of  sight-seers.  Suppose  a 
parade  should  take  place  on  this  so-called  "boulevard;"  how  are  the 
people  of  Washington  going  to  get  there  and  what  chance  will  there 
be  for  seeing  anything  after  they  have  reached  the  place?  These  are 
questions  that  have  evidently  not  been  thought  of. 

But  it  is  said  that  the  newly  made  road  is  to  be  lined  on  both  sides 
with  magnificent  public  buildings.  When,  and  with  what  public 
buildings?  This  idea  is  quite  as  ridiculous  as  the  other  just  referred 
to.  A  public  building  is  presumably  a  place  for  the  transaction  of 
public  business,  to  which  those  engaged  in  it  and  those  having  occa- 
sion to  visit  it  should  have  free  and  easy  access.  How,  then,  is  the 
public  to  get  to  this  hoped-for  double  line  of  splendid  public  build- 
ings, when  once  built  and  occupied?  Certainly  it  can  not  be  intended 
tliat  a  street-car  track  shall  be  laid  the  length  of  this  alleged  "  boule- 
vard;" and  as  no  line  can,  in  the  nature  of  things,  run  parallel  to  it, 
at  least  not  near  enough  to  afford  accommodation  to  get  there,  the 
inevitable  consequence  will  be  that  a  hack  must  be  hired  for  the  trip 
or  the  journey  be  made  on  foot.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  those  who  have 
to  submit  to  the  extortion  of  hackmen  or  take  the  long  walk  amid  the 
storms  of  winter  or  the  heat  of  summer  will  curse  loud  as  well  as  deep 
the  memory  of  both  those  who  conceived  and  those  who  carried  out 
the  idea. 

After  all,  however,  the  great  objection  to  the  project  is  that  it  in  a 
measure  destroys  a  public  park,  and  for  such  vandalism  there  can  be 
no  valid  excuse.  While  other  cities  are  buying  valuable  ground  and 
tearing  down  the  costly  buildings  with  which  it  is  covered,  in  order 
to  provide  breathing  places  and  thus  insure  the  health  and  comfort 
of  their  population,  how  can  those  who  are  interested  in  or  hold  in 
their  hands  the  future  destiny  of   the   nation's   capital   justify  the 


184  PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

taking  for  street  and  building  purposes  of  the  ground  long  since 
dedicated  as  public  parks  ?  A  mistake  such  as  would  be  made  in  this 
instance  is  absolutely  irreparable  and  unforgivable.  Indeed,  for 
such  an  act  the  term  "mistake"  is  no  proper  designation.  It  would 
reach  the  proportion  of  a  crime  and  should  stamp  its  perpetrators 
accordingly. 


THE    REAL    "BOULEVARD"   SCHEME. 
(March  6,  1900.) 

It  is  just  as  well  to  be  explicit  about  matters  affecting  the  future  of 
the  capital.  This  "  boulevard  "  plan,  supposed  to  contain  so  much  of 
value  to  Washington,  can  not  possibly  be  well  understood  by  those 
who  are  now  advocating  it.  Its  sole  strength  lies  in  the  fact  that  it 
proposes  a  solution  of  the  problem  of  locating  future  i^ublic  buildings. 
All  the  original  drawings  of  the  scheme  showed  the  proposed  avenue 
lined  on  the  north  with  variously  shaped  public  structures,  located 
exclusively  within  the  park  space,  while  other  ground  plans  apj^eared 
in  the  space  surrounding  the  ellipse  of  the  White  Lot.  The  only  one 
of  these  to  extend  through  to  Pennsylvania  avenue  is  marked  "city 
hall,"  occupying  the  market-house  site.  According  to  this  design  not 
a  dollar  would  henceforth  be  spent  for  ground  for  public-building 
sites;  not  a  stroke  would  be  delivered  for  the  reclamation  of  Pennsyl- 
vania avenue. 

Stripped  of  the  public-building  feature,  what  is  the  "boulevard" 
project?  Nothing  but  a  proposal  to  cut  an  ugly,  uncomjDromising 
thoroughfare  through  the  Mall,  to  the  utter  destruction  of  its  beauty, 
and  to  the  end  of  no  advantage  whatever.  It  would  not  be  an  attract- 
ive driveway;  it  would  not  be  a  practical  street;  it  would  not  afford 
access  to  anything  or  to  anywhere.  There  would  be  no  reason  for  its 
existence.  There  is  already  sufficient  access  through  the  Mall  by 
me  ns  of  circuitous  drives  through  smooth  lawns  and  stately  tree 
growths  and  handsome  shrubbery,  pleasant  in  all  seasons.  Those  who 
resort  to  the  Mall  for  driving  are  never  in  such  a  hurry  that  they 
demand  straight  cuts,  long,  dazzling  vistas  of  gravel  road,  mathemat- 
ical routes  to  uncertain  destinations. 

Secretary  Wilson's  emphatic  condemnation  of  the  scheme  ought  to 
prove  its  death  knell.  The  ]3roject,  however,  defeats  itself.  When 
once  it  is  understood  that  the  plan  is  to  utilize  this  "boulevard"  as  a 
building  line  for  all  future  public  structures,  to  be  erected  wholly 
within  the  i^ark  lands,  it  is  questionable  whether  a  single  voice  will 
be  heard  from  the  District  in  its  favor.  It  is  unfortunate  that  an 
effort  should  have  been  made  to  confuse  the  public  mind  in  this 
respect  and  to  exploit  the  "boulevard"  project  as  being  in  harmony 
with  the  plan  to  locate  future  public  buildings  on  Pennsylvania  ave- 
nue.    The  truth  is  that  the  two  projects  are  absolutely  incompatible. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  185 

SENTIMENT  AGAINST  THE  MALL   AVENUE. 
(May  3,  1900.) 

The  Star  prints  to-day  another  letter  from  a  citizen  of  Washington 
on  the  snbject  of  the  proposed  Centennial  aveune  through  the  Mall, 
emphatically  objecting  to  all  such  schemes  and  expressing  the  hope 
that  the  integrity  of  the  park  will  not  be  disturbed.  The  writer 
asserts  that  the  great  majorit}^  of  the  people  of  the  District  demur  at 
the  Mall  avenue  proposal.  They  want  to  see  the  centenary  of  the 
capital  properly  commemorated,  but  not  by  an  act.  destructive  of  the 
very  principles  which  have  made  the  city  worthy  to-day  of  an  enthu- 
siastic birthday  celebration. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  this  public  sentiment,  which  thus  earnestly 
expresses  itself,  will  be  considered  by  Congress  in  adjudicating  the 
matter.  It  may  be  taken  for  granted  that  the  memorial  bridge  i)lan 
will  ])e  adopted,  sooner  or  later.  The  demand  for  the  bridge  is  too 
insistent  to  be  overlooked  and  the  Government  stands  virtually  pledged 
to-day  to  the  erection  of  this  structure.  But  as  regards  a  future  means 
of  marking  the  completion  of  the  capital's  first  centurj^  there  is  a 
difference  of  opinion. 

From  a  very  few  came  the  project  of  cutting  a  useless,  disfiguring 
avenue  through  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  health-giving  parks  of 
tlie  city.  From  the  people  through  their  organizations  came  a  more 
practical  scheme — to  raze  the  buildings  that  now  obstruct  and  dis- 
figure the  space  lying  between  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  the  Mall 
and  the  erection  thereon  of  all  future  public  buildings.  Coupled  with 
the  original  Mall  avenue  project  was  the  suggestion  that  sufficient 
space  for  such  buildings  would  be  found  on  the  park  lands  already 
owned  by  the  Government. 

As  regards  the  artistic  and  the  practical  merits  of  the  two  plans, 
there  should  be  little  reason  for  hesitation  in  choice.  The  boulevard 
enterprise  ofiiends  every  sense  of  i)ark  preservation,  for  it  is  certainly 
no  less  than  a  long  step  toward  the  utilization  of  the  reservations  for 
the  public  structures.  The  i^lan  to  clear  away  the  land  south  of 
Pennsylvania  avenue  commends  itself  to  the  esthetic  sense  of  the 
people  and  to  the  economical  instincts  of  the  Government.  Pennsjd- 
vania  avenue  will  never  lose  its  historic  value.  It  is  known  the 
world  over  as  the  nation's  most  famous  and,  in  some  respects,  most 
beautiful  street.  A  boulevard  through  the  Mall  would  secure  no 
special  reputation.  It  would  never  become  endowed  with  the  histor- 
ical associations  which  now  cluster  around  the  stretch  of  Pennsylvania 
avenue  from  the  Capitol  to  the  Treasury.  It  stands  to  reason  that 
to  conserve  and  accentuate  the  traditional  and  artistic  value  of  this 
magnificent  street  would  be  most  fittingly  to  mark  the  centenary  of 
the  city,  with  whose  fame  it  is  so  closely  associated.  This  can  be 
surely  done  by  eliminating,  for  practical  purposes,  the  rookeries  and 


186  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

undecorative  buildings  now  occnpying  the  medial  space  and  consti- 
tuting the  south  side  of  the  avenue  a  plaza  upon  which  the  nation's 
offices  of  the  future  will  be  assembled. 

It  would  be  false  economy  to  cut  up  the  park  into  building  lots  or  to 
bisect  it  with  an  ugly,  useless  avenue.  It  will  be  true  economy  to 
clear  away  what  is  now  little  else  than  rubbish  on  the  most  conspicu- 
ous street  of  the  city  and  replace  it  with  enduring  monuments  to  the 
Republic's  greatness. 


THE    CENTENNIAL   AVENUE    AGAIN. 

(May  2,  1900.) 

The  "Centennial  avenue"  project,  which  was  put  to  sleep  under 
the  influence  of  a  pronounced  public  sentiment  in  opposition  a  few 
months  ago,  seems  to  have  awakened  from  its  slumbers  and  to  have 
put  on  a  new  dress.  It  is  reported  that  Colonel  Bingham  has  pre- 
pared a  i3lan  for  a  straight  avenue  through  the  Mall,  to  be  dedicated 
to  the  centenar}^  of  the  capital,  and  that  this  plan  is  receiving  the 
favorable  attention  of  officers  of  the  Government  and  legislators.  A 
correspondent,  whose  letter  is  printed  in  to-day's  Star,  urges  the  rejec- 
tion of  this  scheme  in  the  interest  of  the  park  beauties  of  the  city. 
His  objections  are  sound  and  unanswerable.  The  Bingham  project 
presents  all  of  the  offensive  features  of  that  urged  at  the  outset  of 
the  enterprise,  while  it  possesses  others  in  addition.  The  original 
purpose  was  to  cut  a  broad  ' '  boulevard  "  through  the  Mall  along  the 
northerii  edge,  running  straight  from  the  Capitol  to  the  Memorial 
bridge.  The  Bingham  i3lan  is  to  run  this  avenue  from  the  Capitol  to 
the  Monument,  a  course  already  covered  by  drives  straight  enough 
for  every  practical  pu:rpose  and  winding  enough  to  preserve  the  artistic 
value  of  the  park.  The  avenue  through  the  middle  of  the  Mall  would 
divide  that  now  beautiful  reservation  in  twain,  making  two  parks 
of  less  aggregate  space  than  the  present.  It  would  serve  no  useful 
purpose,  afford  no  sites  for  buildings,  add  nothing  to  the  grand 
reservation,  while  destrojang  its  chief  charm,  that  of  irregularity  and 
seclusion. 

The  spirit  of  L'Enfant  is  being  per]3etually  invoked  in  aid  of  these 
latter-day  schemes  to  destroy  much  of  the  cajDital's  present  beauty. 
It  is  true  that  a  certain  strong  sentiment  attaches  to  all  of  L'Enfant's 
original  propositions.  If  executed  at  the  outset  and  in  the  spirit  of 
their  conception  they  would  have  made  a  magnificent  capital.  But 
time  has  changed  the  situation.  To  attempt  now  to  give  form  to  the 
full  L'Enfant  programme,  or  to  isolated  features  that  have  been 
neglected,  without  regard  for  the  beauties  of  j^ears  of  growth,  would 
be  to  destro}^  much  of  untold  value  and  lead  to  unsatisfactory  result. 
It  were  far  better  to  employ  the  energy  and  the  money  needed  in  such 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  187 

a  propaganda  in  the  clearing  away  of  the  disfiguring  occuj)ants  of  the 
south  side  of  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  thus  providing  building  space 
for  the  Government  for  generations  to  come. 

A  boulevard  or  avenue  through  the  Mall,  whether  in  the  middle  or 
on  the  side,  would  be  incompatible  with  the  character  of  that  reserva- 
tion. If  Colonel  Bingham  has  indeed  undertaken  to  secure  a  legisla- 
tive enactment  toward  this  end  the  fact  is  to  be  regretted,  for  it 
betokens  an  utter  misconception  on  his  part  of  both  the  opj)ortunities 
and  the  demands  of  the  present.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  some  adequate 
memorial  of  the  capital's  centenary  will  be  provided.  The  inaugu- 
ration of  the  Memorial  bridge  will  suffice  to  that  end.  But  it  would 
be  deplorable  if  so  significant  an  event  were  to  be  commemorated 
by  an  enterprise  destructive  of  one  of  the  citj^'s  chief  charms  and 
subversive  of  the  ijrinciple  of  park  preservation,  which  only  requires 
maintenance  and  extension  to  make  Washington  a  city  of  wonderful 
beauty. 


SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTKICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS— NO.  13. 


THE  MAKING  OF  A  PLAN  FOR  WASHINGTON  CITY. 

By  Glenn  Brown,  F.  A   I.  A. 

[Read  before  the  Columbia  Historioal  Society,  January  6,  1902.] 


March  8,  1902. — Printed  for  the  use  of  the  committee. 


The  original  map  of  Washington  made  in  1791  was  the  first  plan 
drawn  for  a  capital  cit}^  of  a  great  nation. 

Other  capitals  have  been  a  growth,  beginning  as  villages  without 
design,  or  thought  of  future  progress  or  greatness,  and  in  their  gradual 
development  from  village  to  town  and  their  final  expansion  into  cities 
have  been  hampered  by  the  original  lines  of  roadways,  the  gradual 
addition  of  streets  and  suburbs,  and  the  location  of  more  or  less 
important  buildings,  each  roadway,  street,  or  suburb  having  been  laid 
out  according  to  individual  whim,  with  little  or  no  consideration  for  a 
future  city  that  would  be  a  harmonious  whole. 

Gradual  growth  often  produced  picturesqueness;  never  stateliness 
or  grandeur  such  as  would  befit  a  capital  city.  The  authorities  of 
man}^  cities,  after  the  countries  of  which  the  city  was  the  capital  had 
grown  in  wealth  and  power,  have  attempted  with  more  or  less  success 
to  remedy  this  want  of  a  harmonious  and  efl^ective  original  plan. 

Paris  has  undergone  many  of  such  changes,  the  later  ones  luider 
Louis  XIV,  Napoleon  I,  Louis  Philippe,  and  Napoleon  III.  The  last- 
named  Emperor  at  enormous  expense  opened  new  avenues  and  boule- 
vards directly  through  the  city,  so  as  to  command  the  view  of  focal 
points,  and  beautified  the  city  with  parks  and  works  of  art. 

Although  the  effects  accomplished  in  Paris,  when  viewed  in  connec- 
tion with  beautiful  buildings,  majestic  arches,  graceful  columns, 
artistic  statuary,  and  pleasing  gardens,  have  l^een  greater  than  similar 
accomplishments  in  other  cities  of  the  world,  Paris  is  not  what  it 
would  be  if  the  great  architects  of  building  and  landscape  had  been 
unhampered  by  existing  conditions. 

St.  Petersburg  was  selected  as  the  seat  of  the  Russian  Government  in 
1703,  and  was  located  on  a  site  where  no  other  cit}^  existed.  Appar- 
ently, little  attention  was  given  to  its  development  on  broad  lines. 
It  grew  as  other  cities  have  grown,  without  thoug'ht  of  the  grandeur  of 
effect  that  might  have  been  attained  by  a  well-studied,  original  and 

comprehensive  plan. 

189 


190  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

London,  after  the  great  fire  in  September,  1666,  had  an  opportunity 
to  make  a  complete  rectification  of  the  unhappy  results  unavoidable  in 
the  plan  of  a  city  developed  by  gradual  growth.  There  was  a  deter- 
mined eft'ort  made  to  take  advantage  of  this  opportunity.  Sir  Chris- 
topher Wren  made  a  very  clever  and  comprehensive  plan,  the  first 
plan  that  I  have  been  able  to  discover  of  a  city  with  streets  radiating 
from  focal  points.     (Fig.  1.) 

The  sites  of  prominent  buildings,  monuments,  and  columns  were 
arranged  so  as  to  give  pleasing  objects  of  sight  at  the  end  of  many 
vistas  as  well  as  open  spaces  which  afforded  opportunity  for  a  closer 
view.  Unfortunately  the  plan  of  Sir  Christopher  Wren  was  never 
executed.  The  difficulty  of  adjusting  conflicting  claims  proved  insur- 
mountable. 

The  causes  which  influenced  our  forefathers  to  lay  out  a  city  on  a 
grand  and  comprehensive  scale  are  interesting  topics  for  investigation. 
The  data  and  precedent  from  which  they  evolved  the  noble  plan  pre- 
sented in  the  map  of  the  city  of  Washington  are  fascinating  subjects 
for  study. 

During  the  first  fifty  years  of  the  city's  history  this  greatness  of 
scale  and  the  "magnificent  distances"  were  a  constant  cause  of  ridicule 
with  the  thoughtless,  and  sneers  from  our  countr}^  and  Europe  at  the 
magnificent  pretensions  of  the  original  plan,  were  frequent  on  the  part 
of  persons  who  could  not  appreciate  the  future  of  the  United  States. 
The  grandeur  of  scale,  as  well  as  the  character  of  the  scheme  which 
was  approved,  clearly  indicated  the  confidence  of  the  projectors  in  the 
future  of  our  country.  It  was  evidently  their  judgment  that  the  best 
plan  on  a  generous  scale  would  not  be  too  good  or  too  large  for  the 
future  capital  of  the  United  States. 

General  Washington,  as  a  surveyor,  a  man  of  rare  -judgment,  broad 
common  sense,  and  great  business  capacity,  was  well  fitted  to  conduct 
the  scheme,  and  he  selected  the  most  skilled  members  of  the  profession 
of  architecture  and  landscape  who  could  be  obtained  to  assist  in  the 
making  of  the  city.  He  cautioned  his  assistants  against  vagaries  in 
design  and  insisted  upon  following  rules  and  principles  as  laid  down 
by  the  older  masters  in  their  profession. 

Washington  was  fortunate  in  securing  Peter  Charles  L'Enfant,  with 
whose  skill  he  was  well  acquainted,  to  design  the  map  for  the  new  city. 
Washington  and  L'Enfant  together  made  a  careful  personal  study  of 
the  ground  and  located  the  site  for  the  principle  edifices  and  the  focal 
points.  The  first  or  tentative  draft  was  made  and  submitted  to  Wash- 
ington, and  after  modifications  the  final  map  was  drawn  as  we  have  it 
to-day.  What  influenced  them  in  the  general  arrangement  of  avenues 
radiating  from  focal  points  of  interest?  Why  was  the  Mall  planned 
as  an  approach  to  the  Capitol  and  the  contemplated  Washington  monu- 
ment, with  a  broad  and  extended  vista  on  their  axis? 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  191 

L'Enfant  did  not  attempt  to  draw  up  the  scheme  without  carefully 
studying  what  had  been  accomplished  in  other  parts  of  the  world. 

What  were  the  sources  from  which  L'Enfant  drew  his  inspiration 
in  designing  the  plan?  To  what  influence  did  Washington  turn  when 
making  his  criticism  and  modifications  'i 

We  know  that  L'Enfant  wrote,  April  4, 1791,  asking  Jefl'erson,  Sec- 
retary of  State,  to  obtain  maps  of  London,  Paris,  Venice,  Madrid, 
Amsterdam,  Naples,  and  Florence,  stating  that  it  was  not  his  wish  to 
copy  the  plan  of  these  cities,  but  that  he  might  have  a  variety  .of 
schemes  for  consideration.  We  know  from  a  letter  of  Jefferson's, 
April  10,  1791,  that  Jefl:erson  sent  him  from  his  personal  collection 
maps  of  the  following  cities:  Frankfort  on  the  Main,  Amsterdam, 
Strassburg,  Paris,  Orleans,  Bordeaux,  Lyons,  Montpelier,  Marseilles, 
Turin,  and  Milan.  The  probabilities  are  that  Jefferson  obtained  for 
L'Enfant  the  other  maps  for  which  a  request  had  been  made.  A  com- 
parison of  the  maps  of  the  cities  mentioned,  as  well  as  other  cities  in 
Europe,  proves  that  they  supplied  him  with  only  isolated  suggestions 
for  the  treatment  which  was  adopted.  The  maps  of  London  and  Paris 
previous  to  1800,  clearly  illustrate  this  point. 

Paris,  as  we  know  it  to-day,  suggests  more  forcibly  than  other  cities 
some  of  the  marked  features  of  Washington,  the  points  of  similarity 
being  the  Arch  of  Triumph  and  the  Places  of  the  Nation,  the  Bastile, 
Hugo,  and  the  Repuljlic,  from  which  radiate  avenues  and  boulevards. 
Probably  the  majority  of  people  of  the  present  day  who  are  familiar 
with  Paris  assume  that  it  was  there  L'Enfant  found  the  idea  on  which 
he  enlarged  in  making  his  design  for  Washington, 

Napoleon  I  began  and  Napoleon  111  completed  the  s^'stem  of  avenues 
leading  to  or  radiating  from  points  of  interest.  L'Enf ant's  map  was 
engraved  in  1792  when  the  first  Napoleon  was  an  unknown  man.  The 
Paris  of  1791  had  nothing  in  the  arrangement  of  streets  which,  judging 
from  L'Enfant's  design,  could  have  appealed  to  him.  The  numerous 
small  squares  and  the  jjarked  way  of  the  Champs  El3'sees  may  have 
suggested  and  probablj-  did  suggest  the  man}-  small  parks  as  well  as 
the  treatment  of  the  Mall,  which  he  adopted  in  his  plan. 

The  first  questions  which  would  have  presented  themselves  to 
L'Enfant  in  undertaking  the  solution  of  the  problem  would  naturall}'' 
have  been  the  possible  number  of  residents  who  might  dwell  in  his 
city  of  the  future  and  the  size  of  a  cit}^  to  accoumiodate  them.  London 
in  that  day  had  approximately  800,000  inhabitants,  and  Paris  at  the 
same  date  had  approximately  600,000  people.  The  areas  which  these 
cities  occupied  have  been  a  site  for  village,  town,  or  cit}^  for  nearh^  two 
thousand  3"ears.  They  represented  the  capital  cities  of  the  two  most 
powerful  countries  of  the  world  in  L'Enfant's  time.  With  this  data 
before  him  he  fixed  the  area  of  the  new  city  at  about  16  square  miles, 
which  would  accommodate,  on  the  basis  of  the  population  of  Paris, 
800,000  people. 


192  PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

The  boldness  and  foresight  of  these  city  makers  is  to  be  wondered 
at  when  we  remember  that  at  this  period  the  population  of  the  United 
States  was  about  4,600,000. 

The  next  item  for  solution  was  the  location  of  the  principal  build- 
ings and  commemorative  monuments,  with  a  view  to  place  them  so  as 
to  enhance  their  effect  and  at  the  same  time  so  that  they  would  become 
the  crowning  features  of  the  surrounding  landscape. 

The  map  of  Paris,  as  well  as  his  personal  knowledge,  furnished 
L'Enfant  suggestions  for  the  location  of  palatial  buildings,  statuarj^, 
and  monuments;  but  with  the  exception  of  the  Champs  Ely  sees  few,  if 
any,  suggestions  were  found  as  to  location  of  such  objects  of  interest 
so  that  they  could  be  seen,  enjoyed,  and  so  that  they  would  produce 
the  happiest  effect  in  connection  with  their  surroundings.  The  Mall, 
as  the  grand  garden  approach  to  the  Capitol,  would  naturally  have 
suggested  itself  from  a  study  of  the  Champs  Elysees  and  of  the  more 
beautiful  garden  approach  to  Versailles. 

How  far  should  water  effects  be  introduced  as  a  feature  in  the  new 
plan  ?  L'Enfant  in  his  request  for  plans  of  Amsterdam  and  Venice 
evidently  had  water  effects  in  view,  and  carrying  out  this  idea  he  sug- 
gests on  his  map  a  treatment  of  wharves,  arranged  for  open  views  to 
the  broad  Potomac,  and  introduced  a  canal,  with  water  basins  and 
fountains,  which  would  have  added  wonderfully  to  the  beauty  of  the 
city  if  they  had  been  carried  out.  A  part  of  the  water  scheme  was 
executed  in  the  form  of  a  canal,  but  this  was  turned  into  an  open  sewer 
and  eventually  arched  and  covered. 

The  most  unique  and  distinctive  feature  of  Washington,  its  numerous- 
focal  points  of  interest  and  heauty  from  v^hich  radiate  the  jyrinciixd 
streets  and  avenues  was  not  suggested  hy  any  city  of  Eiurope.  Three 
streets  converging  toward  a  building  or  a  square  being  the  nearest 
approximation  to  the  idea  shown  upon  the  map  of  any  European  city 
of  that  date. 

As  I  have  mentioned  before,  after  the  great  fire  in  London  in  1666, 
Sir  Christopher  Wren  made  a  design  for  the  rearrangement  of  the 
streets,  and  for  grouping  the  various  important  buildings  in  London. 
This  unexecuted  plan  of  Wren's  was  apparently  the  first  to  suggest  the 
radiation  of  streets  from  focal  points  of  interest,  and  in  it  he  had  sev- 
eral such  centers.  (Fig.  1.)  Engravings  of  this  map  were  published  in 
various  histories  of  London  in  L'Enfant's  da}^  When  Jefferson  asked 
for  maps  of  London  there  can  be  little  doubt  that  this  design  was 
among  the  number  sent  to  Jefferson  and  by  him  given  to  L'Enfant. 

When  Louis  XIV  made  Versailles  one  of  his  principal  residences, 
Le  Notre,  who  was  the  director  of  buildings  and  gardens  for  the  grand 
monarch,  laid  out  the  garden  of  Versailles,  one  of  the  most  pleasing, 
impressive,  as  well  as  magnificent  pieces  of  formal  landscape  in  existence 
at  the  present  day.    This  was  designed  about  1662  and  completed  in  1669. 


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PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


193 


In  this  garden  we  have  a  highl}^  developed  plan  showing  points  of 
interest  and  beauty  from  which  radiate  avenues  and  walks.  We  can 
not  question  but  that  L'Enfant  was  familiar  with  this  piece  of  land- 
scape architecture,  and  it,  together  with  the  suggestion  of  Wren,  we 
may  reasonably  assume,  induced  L'Enfant  to  trj^  the  same  idea  in  the 
building  of  a  city,  instead  of  a  garden,  with  radiating  avenues;  and  also 
influenced  him  in  the  principal  and  most  imposing  feature  of  the  Mall. 

Although  Washington  had  never  been  across  the  ocean,  he  was 
undoubtedly  the  man  to  study  the  maps  of  existing  cities,  from  which, 
as  has  been  already  shown,  that  he  could  have  found  but  little  to 
influence  him  as  suggestions  for  the  final  plan  of  Washington  City. 
Washington  was  familiar  with  the  cities  in  this  country,  and  strange 
as  it  may  seem  there  are  suggestions  in  two  of  the  small  cities  of  the 
United  States  which  ma}"  have  influenced  him  in  appix)ving  and  modi- 
fying the  scheme  submitted  by  L'Enfant. 

Annapolis  has  two  focal  points  from  which  several  streets  radiate. 
(Fig.  2.)  It  is  stated  in  the  older  accounts  of  Annapolis  that  the  plan 
was  copied  from  Sir  Christopher  Wren's  plan  of  London.  This  is 
probabl}"  a  fact,  taking  a  small  section  of  London  as  a  basis.  It  is 
most  probable  that  Washington  was  familiar  with  the  fact. 

Williamsburg,  Va.,  had  a  mall,  a  dignified  tract  of  green  around 
which  imposing  colonial  buildings  were  grouped  and  toward  which  the 
principal  streets  converged.  Washington  was  familiar  with  these  two 
cities  and  undoubtedly^  appreciated  the  pleasing  effect  of  their  plans. 

He  was  thus  ready  to  appreciate  and  indorse  a  suggestion  of  similar 
treatment,  nmltiplied  hj  numerous  additional  focal  points,  with  vistas 
from  one  to  the  other,  with  the  principal  buildings  located  at  the  most 
prominent  intersections,  with  a  mall  around  which  was  to  have  been 
grouped  many  of  the  principal  edifices. 

Although  I  have  endeavored  to  call  attention  to  the  data  to  which 
L'Enfant  could  and  did  have  access  and  the  surroundings  which  may 
have  had  theii-  influence  in  the  formulation  of  a  plan  for  the  city  of 
Washington,  I  do  not  mean  in  any  way  to  detract  from  his  fame.  All 
great  artistic  achievements  have  been  a  system  of  evolution  and 
growth,  usually  a  growth  of  long  periods  of  time.  It  is  tvnlj  remark- 
able, and  proved  L'Enfant  a  man  of  genius,  that  he  evolved  in  a  short 
period,  and  from  the  meager  suggestions  which  he  must  have  possessed, 
such  an  excellent  and  artistic  scheme  for  a  new  and  a  great  cit}". 

The  design  (fig.  3)  indicated  a  comprehensive  study  of  the  streets,  so 
arranged  as  to  make  effective  distant  vistas  of  the  buildings,  columns, 
fountains,  and  arches  which  were  proposed,  as  well  as  to  give  the 
most  direct  access  for  business  or  pleasure;  parks  so  located  as  to 
enhance  the  buildings  and  other  art  structures  and  give  an  opportunity 
for  pleasing  views  upon  near  approach;  the  grouping  of  buildings  along 
the  Mall  so  as  to  produce  harmonious  and  artistic  effects  as  well  as 
P  1—03 13 


194  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

the  best  service  for  utilitarian  purposes.  I  beg  leave  to  quote  from 
my  "History  of  the  United  States  Capitol:"  (Senate  Doc.  No.  60, 
Fifty-sixth  Congress,  first  session.) 

The  more  the  scheme  laid  out  by  Washington  and  1' Enfant  is  studied,  the  more 
forcibly  it  strikes  one  as  the  best.  It  is  easy  to  imagine  a  vista  through  green  trees 
and  over  a  green  sward,  400  feet  wide,  beginning  at  the  Capitol  and  ending  with  the 
Monument,  a  distance  of  nearly  a  mile  and  a  half,  bounded  on  both  sides  by  parks 
600  feet  wide,  laid  out  by  a  skilled  landscape  architect  and  adorned  by  the  work  of 
capable  artists.  Looking  from  the  center  open  space  across  the  park  a  continuous 
line  of  beautiful  buildings  was  to  have  formed  the  background.  They  were  not  to 
have  been  deep  enough  to  curtail  either  the  artistic  or  natural  beauties  of  the  park 
or  to  encroach  upon  the  people's  right  to  an  air  space.  By  this  time  such  an  avenue 
of  green  would  have  acquired  a  world-wide  reputation  if  it  had  been  carried  out  by 
competent  landscape  architects,  artists,  and  sculptors,  consulting  and  working  in 
harmony  with  each  other. 

The  beauties  and  possibilities  of  this  plan  for  the  Mall  and  grouping 
of  buildings  were  apparently  forgotten  after  the  da3^s  of  Madison. 
Some  seven  years  ago,  while  studying  the  location  of  buildings  in  con- 
nection with  my  "History  of  the  Capitol,"  the  remarkable  beauties 
and  utilitarian  features  of  the  plan  were  first  called  forcibly  to  my 
attention.  They  were  so  attractive  that  I  felt  constrained  to  write  an 
article  for  the  Architectural  Review ^^  in  Boston,  on  the  subject,  and 
in  1900  published  another  paper  on  the  same  subject  urging  the  feasi- 
bility and  desirability  of  reinstating  this  plan  and  building  future 
Government  buildings  on  the  lines  suggested. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  American  Institute  of  Architects  in  this  city 
in  December,  1900,  a  number  of  prominent  architects  and  artists  were 
requested  to  read  papers  on  the  future  treatment  of  parks  and  the 
groupings  of  buildings.  They  were  asked  for  their  individual  ideas. 
It  was  a  surprising  fact  that  they  all  accepted  the  fundamental  scheme 
of  L'Enfant  as  the  best,  and  only  enlarged  upon  or  suggested  variations 
in  detail.^ 

Last  June  the  Senate  District  Committee  appointed  a  commission, 
consisting  of  D.  H.  Burnham,  C.  F.  McKim,  Augustus  St.  Gaudens, 
and  Frederick  Law  Olmsted,  Jr. ,  among  the  most  prominent  men  in  their 
professions  in  the  country,  all  of  whom  have  proved  by  their  work  a 
capacity  equal  to  the  best  in  the  world  to-day.  After  a  thorough 
study  of  the  subject  for  six  months  we  hear  that  they  think  a  return 
to  the  plan  of  L'Enfant  in  the  treatment  of  the  Mall  and  the  future 
location  of  Government  buildings  is  the  proper  thing.     The  changes 

"■  Selection  of  Sites  for  Federal  Buildings  in  Washington.  The  Architectural  Review, 
Boston,  Mass.,  Vol.  Ill,  No.  IV,  1894.  Suggestions  for  the  Grouping  of  Buildings, 
Monuments,  and  Statuary,  with  Landscape  in  Washington.  The  Architectural 
Re\'iew,  Boston,  August,  1900. 

^  Papers  Relating  to  the  Improvement  of  the  City  of  Washington.  Read  before 
the  American  Institute  of  Architects  December,  1900.  (Doc.  No.  — . )  Govern- 
ment Printing  Office,  1901. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  195 

made  in  the  water  line  and  by  sale  of  Government  property  and  the 
erection  of  inartistic  structures  located  at  haphazard  will  require 
man\"  modifications  and  skilled  handling,  but  we  may  only  expect 
a  successful  outcome  from  the  commission.  Let  us  hope  that  Con- 
gress will  see  fit  to  approve  their  suggestions  and  return  to  the 
fundamental  scheme  as  laid  down  by  Washington  and  L'Enfant. 
When  executed  there  will  be  no  city  in  the  world  to  equal  Washington 
in  its  beauty  and  artistic  results. 


SEiTATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTKICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS.— NO.  14. 


ABSTRACT  OF  LAWS  AND  ORDINANCES  RELATIVE  TO  THE 
WASHINGTON  MARKET  COMPANY. 


March  14,  1902. — Printed  for  the  use  of  the  committee. 


An  act  to  incorporate  the  Washington  Market  Company,  approved 
May  20,  1870.     (16th  Stats.,  p.  124  et  seq.) 

Joint  resolution  relative  to  the  Center  Market  in  Washington, 
approved  December  20,  1870.     (IGth  Stats.,  p.  589.) 

The  deficiency  appropriation  law  for  the  fiscal  year  1873  (see  para- 
graph authorizing  arrangements  for  transfer  of  part  of  the  market-house 
site  for  a  District  building),  approved  March  3,  1873.  (17th  Stats.,  p. 
540.) 

The  memorandum  of  agreement  making  arrangements  under  the 
above  provision  is  published  on  page  27  of  Papers  Relating  to  the 
Washington  Market  Comj)any,  Submitted  to  accompany  Act  H.  E.  4426, 
entitled  "An  Act  relative  to  the  Washington  Market  Company,"  jDub- 
lished  in  1878,  under  House  resolution  of  December  4,  1877.  A  copy 
of  this  memorandum  of  agreement  is  hereby  transmitted.  Under  this 
agreement  the  annual  franchise  rental  of  the  Washington  Market  Com- 
pany, applicable  to  the  relief  of  the  poor,  was  reduced  from  $20,000  to 
$7,500.  It  had  previously  been  reduced  from  $25,000  per  annum  to 
$20,000,  under  the  following  act  of  the  legislative  assembly : 

A  KESOLUTION  iu  relation  to  the  Washington  Market  Company. 

Be  it  resolved  by  the  legislative  assembly  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  That  the  Governor 
be  authorized  and  required  to  act  as  one  of  the  commissioners  of  the  Washington 
Marlvet  Company,  under  the  resolution  of  Congress  approved  December  twenty, 
eigliteen  hundred  and  seventy;  and  that  he  be  requested  to  procure  such  alterations 
in  the  x>lan  of  the  buildings  to  be  erected  by  said  company  as  shall  transfer  the  pro- 
posed hall  from  the  Ninth  street  wing  to  the  main  building  on  Pennsylvania  avenue, 
and  also  to  secure  a  reduction  from  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  to  twenty  thousand 
dollars  of  the  annual  rental  required  to  be  paid  by  said  company,  and  which  is  now 
assessed  by  the  company  upon  the  stall-holders. 

Approved  August  23,  1871. 

197 


198  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

MEMORANDUM  OF  AG-REEMENT. 

Governor  and  hoard  of  inihlic  n-orJcs  tcith  the  Washington  MarTcet 

Company. 

In  pursuance  of  the  act  of  Congress  of  March  3,  1873,  authorizing 
the  governor  and  board  of  i^ublic  works,  if  they  deem  it  advisable  for 
the  i)urpose  of  erecting  thereon  a  suitable  building  for  District  offices, 
to  make  arrangements  to  secure  sufficient  land  fronting  on  Pennsylvania 
and  Louisiana  avenues  between  Seventh  and  Ninth  streets,  it  is  hereby 
agreed  that 

1.  The  Washington  Market  Company  shall  by  good  and  suflficieut 
quit-claim  deed  release  and  convey  to  tbe  District  of  Columbia  all  the 
right,  title,  and  interest  of  said  company  acquired  under  act  of  Congress 
of  May  20,  1870,  incorporating  said  company,  in  and  to  so  much  of  the 
land  within  said  District  described  in  section  2  of  said  act,  and  fronting 
Pennsylvania  and  Louisiana  avenues,  as  is  contained  within  the  follow- 
ing limits : 

Beginning  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Seventh  street  and  Pennsyl- 
vania avenue,  thence  westerly  along  the  southerly  side  of  Pennsylvania 
avenue  to  its  intersection  with  the  southerly  side  of  Louisiana  avenue; 
thence  westerly  along  the  southerly  side  of  Louisiana  avenue  to  the 
east  side  of  Mnth  street;  thence  along  the  east  line  of  Ninth  street 
eighty-six  feet;  thence  easterly  on  a  line  parallel  with  the  aforesaid 
southerly  line  of  Louisiana  avenue  to  a  point  eighty-six  feet  south  of 
said  intersection  of  the  southerly  lines  of  Pennsylvania  and  Louisiana 
avenues,  and  thence  on  a  line  parallel  with  the  aforesaid  southerly  side 
of  Pennsylvania  avenue  to  the  westerly  line  of  Seventh  street,  at  a  point 
eighty-six  feet  from  the  corner  began  at;  thence  northerly  along  the 
west  line  of  Seventh  street  eighty-six  feet  to  the  corner  began  at. 

The  Washington  3Iarket  Company  shall  also  in  said  deed  convey  to 
said  District  the  right  to  use,  in  common  with  said  market  company,  as 
a  passageway  and  court  yard  all  the  land  between  the  lot  conveyed  in 
said  deed  and  a  line  drawn  westerly  from  Seventh  to  Ninth  street  ten 
feet  north  of  the  north  walls  of  the  present  Seventh  and  Ninth  street 
buildings  of  said  market  company. 

2.  In  consideration  of  the  aforesaid  release  and  conveyance  by  the 
Washington  Market  Company  to  the  District  of  Columbia,  the  District 
will  assume  and  fulfill  all  obligations  imposed  upon  the  company  by 
section  14  of  said  act  of  May  20,  1870  (as  modified  by  act  of  the  legis- 
lative assembly  of  the  District  of  August  23,  1871),  except  as  follows: 

The  market  company  shall  pay  annually  to  the  District  of  Columbia, 
during  the  term  and  for  the  purposes  mentioned  in  said  section  11,  the 
sum  of  seven  thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  payable  quarterly,  which 
sum  shall,  during  said  term,  be  in  the  place  of  all  rental  for  the  ground 
occupied  by  the  market  buildings  of  said  company;  and  in  case  in  any 
year  the  general  District  taxes  ui)on  said  ground  and  riarket  buildings 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


199 


shall  exceed  five  thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  the  excess  above  that 
amount  shall  be  deducted  from  said  rental  of  seven  thousand  five  hun- 
dred dollars,  so  that  the  total  annual  payments  for  rental  and  taxes 
shall  not  exceed  thirteen  thousand  dollars ;  the  District,  however,  not 
hereby  releasing,  but  expressly  reserving,  and  the  market  company 
hereby  confirming  the  right  of  the  District,  given  by  section  2  of  the 
act  of  May  20,  1870,  of  fixing  and  controlling,  for  the  protection  of  the 
market  dealers  and  of  the  public,  the  amount  of  rentals  of  the  stalls  and 
stands  in  said  market  buildings;  and  it  is  also  hereby  agreed  that  the 
annual  rental  of  stalls  and  stands  in  the  other  markets  in  the  city  of 
Washington  shall  .not  be  fixed  by  the  District  authorities  at  a  lower 
rate  per  square  foot  of  area  than  seventy  per  cent  of  the  rate  fixed 
under  said  section  for  stalls  and  stands  in  the  market  buildings  of  said 
company,  and  the  District  shall  not  use  the  land  released  and  conveyed 
as  aforesaid  for  the  purposes  of  a  market. 

This  agreement  shall  take  eflect  April  1,  1873,  and  the  market  com- 
pany shall  at  once  settle  its  past  rental  account  to  that  time  at  the  rate 
since  August  23,  1871,  fixed  by  the  resolution  of  the  legislative  assem- 
bly of  that  date,  and  shall  immediately  pay  the  balance  due  to  the 
treasurer  of  the  District.  Possession  of  the  land  conveyed  shall  be 
given  the  District  upon  the  day  of  executing  this  agreement. 
Dated  at  Washington,  March  18,  1873. 

Washington  Market  Company, 
By  M.  G.  Emery,  President. 

H.  D.  Cooke,  Governor. 

Alex.  R.  Shepherd, 

James  A.  Magruder, 

S.  P.  Brov^^n, 

Adolf  Cluss, 

Board  of  Public  Worlcs. 


SENATE  COM^IITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVE^IENT  PAPERS  NO.  15. 


A  PAPER  REUTINrr  TO  THE  TREES,  SHRUBS,  AND  PLANTS  IN  THE 
UNITED  STATES  CAPITOL  GROUND,  AND  AN  INDEX  OF  THE  SAME, 
TOGETHER  WITH  SOME  OBSERVATIONS  UPON  THE  PLANTING  AND 
CARE  OF  TREES  IN  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA,  BY  FRED'K  LAW 
OLMSTED,  LANDSCAPE  ARCHITECT. 

[Reprinted  from  the  report  of  the  Architect  of  the  Capitol  for  18«2.] 


April  4,  1902. — Printed  for  the  use  of  the  committee. 


HISTORICAL  NOTES  OF  THE  CAPITOL  GROUNDS. 

The  intelligent  visitor,  reflecting  that  it  is  nearly  ninet}^  years  since 
the  site  of  the  Capitol  was  determined,  and  more  than  eighty  since 
Congress  first  held  its  sessions  upon  it,  will  need  some  explanation 
of  its  present  s3dvan  juvenilit}". 

Since  building  work  first  began  upon  it  several  efforts  for  the 
improvement  of  the  ground  have  been  made  before  the  present,  but 
no  plan  for  the  purpose  has  long  l^een  adhered  to,  and  little  of  the 
work  done  has  been  adapted  to  secure  lastingl}"  satisfactory'  results. 
There  is,  mainly  in  consequence  of  a  wavering  policy  and  makeshift 
temporizing  operations,  but  one  tree  on  the  ground  that  j^et  approaches 
a  condition  of  tree  majesty",  and  ))eside  it  probably  not  one  of  fifty 
years'  growth  from  the  seed — not  a  dozen  of  ten  j^ears'  healthy, 
thrifty,  and  unmutilated  growth.  It  may  be  added  that  many  hundred 
trees  are  known  to  have  been  planted  in  the  streets  of  the  cit}^  early 
in  the  century,  of  which  not  one  remains  alive,  nor  is  it  probable 
that  one  was  ever  allowed  a  full  development  of  its  proper  beauty. 
Yet,  to  show  what  easily  might  have  been,  if  due  ]udgment  and  pains- 
taking had  been  used,  it  is  enough  that  one  planted  tree  of  even  an 
earlier  date  may  be  pointed  to,  which  is  yet  in  the  full  vigor  of  its 
growth.  (The  "Washington  elm"  on  the  Capitol  ground,  originally 
a  street-side  tree.) 

The  following  notes,  chiefly  upon  the  past  misfortunes  of  the  nation 
in  its  Capitol  ground,  have  been  largely  based  on  conversations  with 
the  late  venerable  Dr.  J.  B.  Blake,  sometime  Commissioner  of  Public 
Grounds. 

201 


202 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


When  Government,  near  the  close  of  the  last  centur}^,  took  posses- 
sion of  the  site  of  the  Capitol,  it  was  a  sterile  place,  parti}'  overgrown 
with  "scrub  oak,"  The  soil  was  described  (b}^  Oliver  Wolcott)  as  an 
''''exceedingly  stiff  claj^,  becoming  dust  in  dr}"  and  mortar  in  rain}' 
weather."  For  a  number  of  years  the  ground  about  the  Capitol  was 
treated  as  a  common,  roads  crossing  it  in  all  directions,  and  a  map  of 
the  period  indicates  an  intention  to  treat  it  permanently  as  an  open 
public  place.  The  year  before  his  death,  Washington  built  the  brick 
house,  still  standing  prominently,  but  injured  by  recent  additions,  a 
little  to  the  north  of  the  Capitol.  A  picture  showing  this  house,  with 
a  young  plantation  of  trees  (none  now  living)  between  it  and  the 
Capitol,  together  with  an  autograph  letter  about  it  from  Washington 
to  his  business  agent,  may  be  seen  in  the  Towner  division  of  the 
National  Library.  The  first  local  improvement  ordered  by  Congress, 
after  occupying  the  rooms  partially  prepared  for  it  in  the  incomplete 
Capitol,  was  a  vxiU'  to  be  made  between  these  and  Georgetown 
(West  Washington),  where,"  there  being  yet  no  comfortable  house 
nearer,  most  of  the  members  lodged.  The  Capitol  and  the  house  of 
Washington  had  both  been  built  upon  the  assumption  that  the  future 
city,  which  Washington  avoided  calling  by  his  own  name,  continuing 
to  use  the  original  designation  of  the  ''Federal  City,"  would  arise  on 
the  higher  ground  to  the  eastward.  Both  buildings  were  expected  to 
stand  as  far  as  practicable  in  its  outskirts,  Ijacking  upon  the  turbid 
creek  with  swampy  borders  which  then  flowed  along  the  base  of  the 
Capitol  Hill.  When  this  stream  was  in  freshet  it  was  not  fordable, 
and  members  of  Congress  were  often  compelled  to  hitch  their  riding 
horses  on  the  farther  side  and  cross  it,  first,  on  fallen  trees,  afterwards 
on  a  footbridge.  There  was  an  alder  swamp  where  the  Botanic 
Garden  is  now,  which  spread  also  far  along  the  site  of  Pennsylvania 
avenue.  Tall  woods  on  its  border  shut  ofi'  the  views  of  the  ground 
south  and  west  of  it.  This  wood,  said  to  contain  many  noble  trees, 
mostly  oaks,  was  felled  for  firewood,  by  permission  of  Congress,  as  a 
measure  of  economy,  some  time  after  the  war  of  1812. 

These  circumstances  may  give  a  little  clue  to  the  habit  at  the  outset 
adopted,  and  of  which  Congress  has  since  never  been  wholly  disem- 
barassed,  of  regarding  the  ground  immediately  to  the  west  of  the 
Capitol  as  its  ''back  yard,"  and  all  in  connection  with  it  as  compara- 
tively ignoble  with  the  city  on  the  Avest,  the  transformation  of  the 
creek  and  swamp  and  the  opening  of  the  magnificent  view  on  that 
side,  it  is  incomparably  the  nobler  front. 

It  is  a  tradition,  and  is  probable,  that  Washington,  while  building 
his  brick  house,  planted  some  trees  on  the  east  side  of  the  Capitol,  of 
which  the  elm  above  referred  to  was  one,  and  is  the  only  one  remain- 
ing. Another  of  equal  age,  but  rotting  prematurely,  probably  from 
unskillful  or  neglected  pruning,  was  blown  down  a  few  years  ago,  and 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


203 


a  third  was  removed  in  consequence  of  the  enlarg-ement  of  the  Capitol. 
The  last  was  a  tree  of  graceful  habit,  and  Mr.  Smith,  of  the  Botanic 
Garden,  has  distributed,  through  members  of  Congress,  man}^  rooted 
cuttings  of  it  to  different  parts  of  the  countr3^  The  surviving  tree, 
having  a  girth  of  but  ten  feet  at  four  feet  from  the  ground,  has  been 
of  slow  growth,  and  been  badly  wounded  within  twenty  3^ears,  three 
cavities  showing  the  removal  of  considerable  limbs  b}-  barbarous  exci- 
sion. On  the  east  side  a  strip  of  bark,  the  entire  length  of  the  trunk, 
has  been  torn  off.  The  ground,  at  a  little  distance  on  three  sides,  hav- 
ing been  trenched  and  enriched,  and  that  nearer  the  trunk  forked  over 
and  top-dressed,  the  tree  has,  within  three  years,  gained  greatly  in 
health  and  vigor;  its  wounds  are  closing  over,  and  it  may  yet  outlive 
several  generations  of  men. 

Some  years  after  the  death  of  Washington  a  space  of  ground  nearly 
half  as  large  as  the  present  ground  was  inclosed  in  connection  with  the 
Capitol,  and  a  street  laid  out  around  it.  The  Washington  elm  stands 
near  where  this  bounding  street  intersected  another,  which  formed  the 
northern  approach  to  the  Capitol,  and  on  the  opposite  side,  to  the 
north,  an  inn  of  some  celebrity,  long  known  as  the  "Yellow  Tavern," 
was  built.  This  was  the  dining  place  for  members  still  lodging  at  a 
distance. 

Whatever  improvement  had  been  made  upon  the  original  ground 
before  the  burning  of  the  Capitol  in  1814  was  probabl}^  then,  or  dur- 
ing the  subsequent  building  operations,  wholly  laid  waste,  the  three  or 
four  trees  first  planted  alone  escaping. 

In  1825  another  plan  for  laying  out  the  grounds  was  devised,  which 
was  sustained  in  the  main  for  nearl}"  fifteen  3^ears,  during  most  of 
which  period  John  Foy  had  charge,  and,  as  far  as  he  was  allowed,  pur- 
sued the  ends  had  in  view  in  its  adoption  consistently.  It  was  that  of 
an  enlarged  form  of  the  ordinar}-  village  dooryards  of  the  time,  flat, 
rectangular  "  grass  plats,"  bordered  by  rows  of  trees,  flower  beds,  and 
gravel  walks,  with  a  belt  of  close  planting  on  the  outside  of  all.  So 
long  as  the  trees  were  saplings  and  the  turf  and  flowers  could  be  kept 
nicely,  it  was  pretty  and  becoming.  But  as  the  trees  grew  they 
robbed  and  dried  out  the  flower  beds,  leaving  hardly  an3'-thing  to 
flourish  in  them  but  violets  and  periwinkle.  Weeds  came  in,  and  the 
grass,  becoming  sparse  and  uneven,  was  much  tracked  across,  and 
grew  forlorn  and  untidy;  appropriations  were  irregular  and  insuffi- 
cient to  restore  it  or  supply  proper  nourishment.  Foy  was  super- 
seded for  political  reasons,  and  his  successor  had  other  gardening 
ambitions  to  gratify. 

At  this  time,  though  even  some  yenYH  later,  George  Combe  described 
the  city  as  "a  straggling  village,  reared  in  a  drained  swamp;"  it  had 
become  clear  that  it  was  not  to  grow  up  on  the  east  front  of  the 
Capitol.     John  Quinc}"  Adams,  on  retiring  from  the  Presidency,  had, 


204  PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

like  Washington,  determined  to  build  a  town  house  for  himself  in 
Washington,  and  had  chosen  to  do  so  far  to  the  west.  Much  other 
private  building  had  followed,  including  one  large  and  excellent  hotel, 
and  Government  had  undertaken  several  important  public  buildings  in 
the  same  quarter. 

It  was  then  determined  to  make  an  addition  (about  seven  acres)  and 
considerable  improvement  of  the  premises  in  the  "rear"  of  the  Capitol, 
and  this  improvement  led  on,  without  any  special  act  of  Congress,  to 
a  gradual  change  of  motive  in  the  management  of  the  old  ground  on 
the  east,  under  the  management  of  James  Maher,  who  is  described  by 
his  friends  as  a  jovial  and  witty  Irishman,  owing  his  appointment  to 
the  personal  friendship  of  General  Jackson.'^ 

The  soil  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  was  much  better  than  that  of  the  east 
ground;  but  the  trees  planted  by  Maher  were  chiefl}'  silver  poplars 
and  silver  maples,  brittle  and  short  lived.  After  doing  more  or  less 
injury  to  the  more  valuable  sorts,  they  have  all  now  disappeared,  but 
there  remain  of  the  planting  of  this  period  several  line  occidental 
planes,  scarlet  maples,  horse-chestnuts,  a  pecan,  and  a  holly. 

South  of  the  "Washington  elm,"  adjoining  the  east  court  of  the 
Capitol,  there  are  a  dozen  long-stemmed  trees,  relics  of  two  circular 
plantations  introduced  in  the  midst  of  Foy's  largest  "grass  plats," 
by  Maher,  for  "barbacue  groves,"  one  probably  intended  for  Demo- 
cratic, the  other  for  Whig  jollifications.  These  were  also  largeh^  of 
quick-growing  trees,  closely  planted,  poorly  fed,  and  never  properly 
thinned  or  pruned.  Forty  years  after  their  planting  the  larger  num- 
ber of  those  remaining  alive  were  found  feeble,  top  heavy,  and  ill 
grown. 

Fo}^  had  planted  in  his  outer  belts  some  garden-like  trees,  very  suita- 
ble to  his  purpose,  magnolias,  tree-boxes,  hollies,  and  also  some  coni- 
fers, mostly  thuyas,  it  is  believed,  ))ut  among  them  there  was  at  least 
one  Cedar  of  Lebanon.  With  them,  however,  or  subsequently,  more 
rapid-growing  deciduous  trees,  unfortunately,  were  also  planted,  and 
through  neglect  of  thinning,  the  efi'ect  of  drip,  and  exhaustion  of  the 
soil  the  choicer  sorts  were  nearl}"  all  smothered,  starved,  or  sickened. 
A  few  crippled  hollies  {Ilex  opaca)  only  remain.  The  violets  and  peri- 
winkle {Vinca)  now  on  the  ground  are  largely  of  direct  descent  from 
those  planted  by  Foy. 

Most  other  trees  within  the  limits  of  the  Capitol  inclosure  before 
the  enlargement  of  the  Capitol  in  1857,  were  removed  to  make  wa}^  for 

^  The  following  story  is  repeated  from  the  best  authority:  The  President  once  sent 
for  Maher  and  said:  "lam  your  friend,  Jimmy,  but  I  have  often  warned  you,  and 
this  time  I  must  turn  you  out."  "Why,  what's  the  matter  now,  General?"  "I  am 
told  that  you  had  a  bad  drunk  again  yesterday."  "Why,  now.  General,  if  every 
bad  story  that's  told  against  yourself  was  to  be  lielieved,  would  it  be  you  that  would 
be  putting  me  in  and  putting  me  out?"     He  remained  with  another  warning. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


205 


the  new  building  operations,  or  in  consequence  of  the  changes  required 
in  the  grade  of  the  ground  to  adapt  it  to  the  new  work,  or,  later, 
to  the  grading  done  l\y  the  District  government  of  the  adjoining- 
streets.  It  was  found  that  the  roots  of  most  of  the  old  trees,  after 
having  grown  out  of  the  small  pits  in  which  they  were  planted,  had 
been  unable  to  penetrate  the  clay  around  them,  but  had  pushed  upward 
and  outward,  spreading  upon  its  surface  and  within  a  thin  stratum  of 
looser  and  darker  material,  consisting,  it  is  believed,  almost  entirely 
of  street  sweepings  which  had  at  difl'erent  times  been  laid  on  as  a  top- 
dressing.  Though  none  were  half  grown,  nearly  all  had  the  character- 
istics of  old  age,  many  were  rotten  at  the  butt,  and  few  were  wholly 
sound.  The  more  thrifty  and  manageable  of  them  Avere  retransplanted 
in  1875,  and  under  more  favorable  conditions,  presentl}'  to  be  stated. 
The  larger  part  of  them  now  appear  rejuvenated.  When  moved  they 
were  generally  from  8  to  15  inches  in  diameter  of  ta'unk. 

Except  under  the  '■"barbecue  trees'"  the  entire  ground  east  of  the 
Capitol,  and  all  that  newlv  planted  in  the  west,  has  been  regraded. 
Near  the  eastern  boundry  the  old  surface  was  eight  feet  higher  than 
at  present;  the  Capitol  standing  at  the  foot  of  a  long  slope.  The 
revised  grade  having  been  attained,  the  ground  was  thoroughly  drained 
with  collared,  cylindrical  tile,  and  trench-plowed  and  subsoiled  to  a 
depth  of  two  feet  or  more  from  the  present  surface.  (In  the  outer 
parts  where  evergreen  thickets  under  scattered  deciduous  trees  were 
to  be  attempted,  fully  three  feet,  and  here  the  liming  was  omitted.) 
It  was  then  ridged  up  and  exposed  to  a  winter's  frost,  dressed  with 
oyster-shell  lime,  and  with  swamp  nuick  previously  treated  with  salt 
and  lime,  then  plowed,  harrowed,  and  rolled  and  plowed  again.  The 
old  surface  soil  was  laid  upon  this  improved  subsoil  with  a  sufficient 
addition  of  the  same  poor  soil  drawn  from  without  the  ground  to  make 
the  stratum  one  foot  (loose)  in  depth.  With  this  well  pulverized,  a 
compost  of  stable  manure  and  prepared  swamp  muck  was  mixed.  It 
is  still  found  to  have  too  much  of  the  quality  ascribed  to  the  original 
by  Wolcott,  quickly  drying  ver}^  hard.  It  would  seem,  however,  to 
be  wholesome  and  sufficiently  friable  for  the  growth  of  the  trees 
planted;  the  death  of  all  the  few  that  have  failed  being  reasonably 
attributed  to  gas  leaks,  severe  wounds,  or  to  extraordinary  cold,  or  to 
a  severe  attack  of  vermin  before  their  recovery  from  the  shock  of 
removal.  It  is  hoped  that  the  more  northern  trees  have  been  induced 
to  root  so  deeply  as  to  suffer  less  than  the}^  usuallj^  do  in  Washington 
during  periods  of  extreme  heat  and  drouth,  and  that,  in  view  of  the 
thorough  preparation  and  large  outlay  for  the  purpose,  the  methods 
of  administration  will  hereafter  be  more  continuously  favorable  than 
thej^  had  been  for  the  longevity  of  the  trees  and  their  attaining  the 
proper  full  stature  of  their  families. 


206  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


THE  PRESENT  DESIGN. 

Questions  why,  in  the  present  scheme,  certain  trees  and  plants  have 
been  taken  for  the  Capitol  ground  and  others  neglected,  and  why  cer- 
tain dispositions  of  trees  have  been  made  and  others,  offering  obvious 
advantages  in  some  respects,  avoided,  may  be  best  answered  in  a  gen- 
eral wa}^  b}^  a  relation  of  the  leading  motives  of  the  design,  some  of 
which,  it  is  evident,  do  not  spontaneously  occur  to  many  inquirers. 

The  ground  is  in  design  part  of  the  Capitol,  but  in  all  respects  sub- 
sidiary to  the  central  structure.  The  primary  motives  of  its  design 
are,  therefore,  that,  first,  of  convenience  of  business  of  and  with  Con- 
gress and  the  Supreme  Court,  and,  second,  that  of  supporting  and  pre- 
senting to  advantage  a  great  national  monument. 

The  problem  of  convenience  to  be  met  in  the  j)lan  of  the  ground  lay 
in  the  requirement  to  supply  ready  access  to  the  different  entrances  to 
the  building  from  the  twenty-one  streets  by  which  the  boundar}'  of 
the  ground  was  to  be  reached  from  the  city.  The  number  of  foot  and 
carriage  entrances  is  forty-six,  and,  as  the  entire  space  to  be  crossed 
between  these  and  the  open  court  and  the  terrace,  upon  which  doors  of 
the  Capitol  open,  is  but  forty-six  acres  in  extent,  it  had  to  be  cut  up 
so  much  as  to  put  ordinar}^  landscape  gardening  ideals  of  breadth  and 
repose  of  surface,  applicable  to  a  park  or  private  residence  grounds, 
to  a  great  degree  out  of  the  question.  The  difficulty  was  complicated 
by  the  hillside  position  of  the  building,  compelling  circuitous  courses 
to  be  taken  as  a  means  of  avoiding  oversteep  grades  in  the  carriage 
approaches  from  the  west.'' 

That  the  Capitol,  in  its  several  more  admirable  aspects,  might  be 
happil}'  presented  to  view,  it  was  necessary  that  the  plantations  should 
be  so  disposed  as  to  leave  numerous  clear  spaces  between  the  central 
and  the  outer  parts  of  the  ground,  and  desirable  that  the  openings  or 
vistas  should  be  disturbed  as  little  as  practicable  by  roads  or  other  con- 
structions. At  the  same  time,  the  summer  climate  of  Washington  and 
the  glaring  whiteness  of  the  great  central  mass  made  a  general  umbra- 
geousness  of  character  desirable  in  the  ground,  and  a  bare,  bald, 
unfurnished  quality  to  be,  as  much  as  possible,  guarded  against.  It 
was  then  to  be  considered  that  customs  are  established  that  bring  at 
intervals  great  processions  and  ceremonious  assemblies  into  the  ground, 

''Some  may  ask  whether,  under  the  circumstances,  a  strictly  architectural  design 
would  not  have  had  advantages.  It  is  enough  to  say  that,  for  several  reason?,  no 
such  plan,  if  understood,  would  have  been  acceptable  to  Congress  or  the  public  taste 
of  the  period.  It  would,  therefore,  have  soon  been  ruined  in  the  treatment  of  details. 
Public  taste  strangely  admits  topiary  work  to  be  mixed  up  with  natural  forms  of 
vegetation,  and  applauds  a  profusion  of  artificial  features  in  what  passes  for  natural 
gardening.  Nevertheless,  it  condemns,  even  in  situations  where  they  would  be  most 
pardonable,  the  grander  and  more  essential  aims  of  ancient  gardening. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  207 

and  that  attending-  these,  vast  bodies  of  people,  without  order  or  disci- 
pline, surge  through  it  in  a  manner  that  overrules  all  ordinary  guardian- 
ship, and  that,  with  increasing  population  and  increasing  means  of  com- 
munication, such  throngs  are  likely  to  grow  larger  and  more  sweeping. 
This  difficulty  was  increased  b}^  the  long-established  habit  of  regarding 
the  Capitol  grounds  as  a  common  to  he  crossed  or  occupied  in  any  part 
as  suited  individual  convenience. 

These  considerations  not  only  called  for  multiplied  routes  of  passage, 
but  for  a  degree  of  amplitude  in  pavements  and  flagging  unfortunate 
with  reference  to  the  desired  general  effect  of  umbrageous n ess  and 
verdancy.  They  also  compelled  a  resort  to  man}'  expedients  for  inof- 
fensively restraining  the  movements  of  visitors  in  certain  directions 
and  leading  them  easily  in  others. 

If  these  several  more  or  less  conflicting  requirements  are  weighed,  it 
will  be  seen  that  no  attempt  to  reconcile  them  or  compromise  between 
them  could  be  made  that  did  not  involve  a  disjointedness  in  the  plan- 
tations unfavorable  to  the  general  aspect  of  dignity  and  composure 
desirable  to  be  associated  with  so  stately  a  building.  Hence,  where  it 
remained  permissible  to  plant  trees  at  all,  to  have  selected  and  arranged 
them  with  a  view  to  exhibit  marked  individual  qualities,  would,  as 
tending  to  increase  such  disjointedness,  have  been  an  unwise  policy. 
The  better  motive  was  to  select  and  place  trees  with  a  view  to  their 
growing  together  in  groups  in  which  their  individual  qualities  would 
gradually  merge  harmoniously,  to  avoid  a  distinct  definition  of  these 
groups,  to  aim  to  draw  them  into  broader  compositions,  and  to  secure 
as  much  effect  of  depth  and  distance  as  possible  by  obscuring  minor 
objects,  especiall}"  in  the  outer  part  of  the  ground. 

In  the  undergrowth,  however,  a  degree  of  variety,  cheerfulness,  and 
vivacity,  to  be  gained  by  moderate  contrasts  of  form  and  color,  might 
be  studied.  Hence,  not  only  the  amount  but  the  range  of  shrubbery 
used  has  been  considerable,  so  much  so  that  it  must  be  admitted  that 
at  present  it  holds  attention  too  much.  As  beyond  a  certain  point  the 
landscape  effect  of  trees  increases  with  age  many  times  faster  than  that 
of  bushes,  the  general  effect  will  soon  be  much  quieter.  The  chief 
reason  for  what  would  otherwise  be  an  excessive  proportion  of  shrubs 
and  low  growth  is  the  necessity  of  mitigating  the  effect  of  the  large 
extent  of  dead  ground  in  the  roads,  walks,  and  adjoining  streets,  other- 
wise to  be  looked  down  upon  from  the  Capitol  and  to  be  conspicuous 
in  views  across  the  ground. 

Two  minor  motives  influencing  the  choice  and  disposition  of  the 
undergrowth  may  be  noted. 

The  summer  climate  of  Washington  being  unfavorable  to  turf  in 
situations  where,  owing  to  the  number  of  trees  growing  in  them,  or 
for  other  reasons,  the  care  of  the  turf  would  be  difficult,  the  aim  has 
been  to  cover  the  ground  with  foliage  of  creepers  and  of  low  peren- 


208  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

iiiuls  likely  to  retain  greenness  during  droughts  and  requiring  little 
labor  to  keep  tidy.  These  low  plantings  also  serve  the  purpose  of 
connecting  and  merging  the  higher  foliage  with  the  verdure  of  the 
lawns  and  of  increasing  apparent  perspective  distance. 

The  shrubbery  has  been  selected  from  regard  to  its  fitness  in  foliage 
qualities,  form,  and  size,  when  grown,  to  serve  general  purposes  in 
the  several  localities  in  which  it  is  placed.  Its  blooming  qualities  have 
been  regarded  as  of  subordinate  consequence,  but  simple  and  natural 
bloom  has  been  generally  preferred  to  the  more  large,  striking,  and 
showy  quality  of  flowers  resulting  from  the  art  of  the  florist,  the 
design  being  always  not  to  make  a  lounging  place  or  hold  attention  to 
details. 

No  spruces  or  other  large-growing  coniferous  trees  have  been  in- 
cluded in  the  recent  planting,  because  if  placed  in  the  central  parts 
they  would  obstruct  views  of  the  buildings;  if  placed  on  the  outer  parts 
the}^  would  disturb  the  general  quiet  and  unobtrusive  foliage  efi'ects 
desired  and  lessen  the  apparent  depth  of  the  local  sylvan  scene.  A 
few  clusters  of  junipers,  yews,  and  thuyas  {Chmnsecyjxi'ris)^  of  estab- 
lished hardiness,  will  be  found  at  points  where  they^  can  not  interrupt 
views  toward  the  Capitol  and  where  they  will  be  obscured  and  over- 
looked in  views  from  it. 

The  number  of  broad-leafed  (laurel-like)  evergreens  that  can  be 
trusted  to  flourish  in  the  climate  of  Washington  is  unfortunately  limited. 
The  fact  that  the  ground  is  more  visited  in  winter  than  in  summer 
makes  this  the  more  regrettable.  For  this  reason  a  considerable 
number  of  sorts  have  been  introduced,  the  permanent  success  of  which 
is  not  thought  full}^  assured.  All  such  are  of  low  growth  in  this 
climate,  and  should  they  fail  to  meet  expectations  may  be  withdrawn 
without  permanent  injury  to  the  designed  summer  landscape  character. 
Should  they  flourish,  it  is  hoped  that  others  will  be  thinned  out  and 
the  evergreens  grow  into  moderate  masses." 

The  Capitol  ground  is  declared  by  act  of  Congress  to  be  formed 
"to  serve  the  quiet  and  dignity  of  the  Capitol  and  to  prevent  the 
occurrence  near  it  of  such  disturbances  as  are  incident  to  the  ordinary 
use  of  public  streets  and  places."  Incidentally  to  this  purpose,  how- 
ever, it  is  much  used  as  a  public  park,  especially  during  the  hot  season 
or  when  Congress  is  not  in  session.  The  need  to  provide  seats  in 
which  people  could  rest  for  a  moment  in  passing  up  the  Capitol  hill 
from  Pennsylvania  avenue,  which  is  the  point  of  entrance  for  most, 

"■The  evergreen  thorn  {Cratcegus  jiyracanthas) ,  the  Oregon  grape  {Berberis  aquefo- 
lium),  the  Coton-easter  (C  micropMUa) ,  the  Chinese  evergreen  azalea  (^4.  amcena), 
and  an  P^ngUsh  hothouse  shrub  {Abelia  rupestris),  have  each  passed  without  injury 
through  several  severe  summers  and  winters,  and  promise  to  be  of  the  highest  value 
for  the  landscape  purposes  for  which  they  have  been  tentatively  used.  The  first 
three  are  already  to  be  seen  in  profusion  and  in  vigorous  health. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  209 

and  the  need  of  a  place  in  which  children  could  obtain  water  being 
apparent,  and  as  the  necessary  extent  of  accommodation  in  these 
respects  would  otherwise  cause  an  unseemly  obstruction  of  the  walks 
or  become  too  conspicuous  a  feature  of  the  scenerj',  a  summerhouse 
was  designed,  with  a  view  to  the  following  advantages:  It  is  entered 
by  a  few  steps  from  three  different  lines  of  walk;  it  contains  separate 
seats  for  twenty-five  people,  protected  under  all  circumstances  from 
ordinary  summer  showers;  it  allows  six  children  to  take  water  from 
the  fountain  at  once;  it  is  very  airy,  the  softest  breeze  passing  freely 
through  it.  The  seats  are  so  disposed  as,  though  shadowed,  to  be  well 
lighted  and  to  be  each  under  constant  inspection  of  the  passing  watch- 
men and  the  public  through  an  opposite  archwa3^  The  house  is 
closed  at  nightfall  and  in  winter.  These  precautions  have  enabled 
ladies  to  use  it  in  large  numbers,  free  from  the  annoyances  which  often 
deter  them  from  entering  sheltered  resting  places  in  parks.  Standing 
on  sloping  ground,  the  floor  is  kept  at  the  lower  level  and  the  walls  and 
roof  of  brick  and  tile  as  low  as  practicable,  so  that  at  a  short  distance 
the  eye  ranges  over  them.  That  thej^  ma}'  be  more  inconspicuous,  the 
walls  are  banked  about  with  natural  rock,  and  slopes  of  specially 
prepared  soils  favorable  to  the  growth  of  various  creepers  and  rock 
plants,  by  which,  except  to  one  standing  opposite  to  the  entrance 
arches  and  turning  to  observe  them,  the  entire  structure  will  be  wholly 
lost  to  view.  From  within  the  walls  there  opens  on  the  uphill  side  a 
cool,  dark  runnel  of  water,  supplied  from  the  overflow  of  the  fountain 
at  the  west  entrance  to  the  Capitol.  The  spray  of  this  rapid  rivulet, 
with  that  from  the  waste  water  of  the  drinking  fountain,  maintains  a 
moisture  of  the  air  favorable  to  the  growth  of  ferns  and  mosses  upon 
the  inner  rockwork.  What  is  chieflj"  hoped  for,  however,  is  that  under 
the  conditions  provided  a  growth  of  ivy  may  have  been  secured, 
gradually  reproducing  the  characteristic  exquisite  beauty  of  this  ever- 
green in  its  native  haunts.  Man}'  good  examples  of  it,  though  not  of 
its  best  estate,  may  be  seen  about  Washington.  The  visitor  interested 
is  particularly  advised  to  see  those  in  the  cemeter}^  at  West  Washing- 
ton (Georgetown). 

The  trees  about  the  summerhouse,  though  hardy  and  suited  to  the 
circumstances,  will  all  have  a  somewhat  quaint  or  exotic  aspect.  They 
include  the  willow  oak,  the  cedrella,  the  oleaster,  two  sorts  of  ara- 
lias,  and  the  golden  catalpa. 

The  vistas  or  general  lines  of  view  to  which  all  the  planting  and  all 
the  structures  upon  the  ground  have  been  fitted  may  be  more  fully 
stated. 

Disregarding  shrubbery,  to  be  kept  below  the  plane  of  sight  toward 

the  Capitol,  openings   are  maintained,  through  which    direct  front 

views  of  the  central  portico  and  the  Dome  will  be  had  from  the  outer 

parts  of  the  ground,  upon  opposite  sides,  and  diagonal  perspective 

p  1—03 14 


210  PAKK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

views  of  the  entire  facades  from  four  directions.  In  six  other  ditec- 
tions  from  the  center  of  the  structure  only  low-headed  trees  are  planted, 
so  that  in  each  case  the  Capitol  may  be  seen  rising  above  banks  of 
foliage  from  points  several  miles  distant. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  by  the  same  disposition  of  the  planta- 
tions, views  outwardly  from  the  Capitol  are  kept  open,  but  attention 
may  be  called  to  the  beauty  and  breadth,  almost  approaching  grand- 
eur, of  the  prospect  up  and  down  and  across  the  valley  of  the  Poto- 
mac, and  to  the  design  that  when  the  present  young  plantations  are 
full  grown  this  great  advantage  of  the  Capitol  shall  not  be  lost.  The 
introduction  of  the  proposed  architectural  terrace  will  indeed  admit  no 
trees  to  stand  so  near,  or  on  ground  so  elevated,  that  they  will  even 
obstruct  the  present  distant  view  from  the  main  or  even  the  ground 
floor.  The  plantations  in  this  direction,  however,  will  in  time  obscure 
the  nearer  part  of  the  city  and  form  a  continuous  strong,  consistent 
foreground  to  the  further  sylvan  slopes. 

From  the  terrace  these  plantations  will  in  some  degree  limit  the 
views  to  the  northward  and  southward,  but  through  the  removal  of 
the  old  central  avenue  and  the  broad  gap  left  between  the  trees  on  the 
west  an  outlook  is  obtained  between  the  northern  and  the  southern 
divisions  of  the  city  in  which  a  slope  of  unbroken  turf,  seen  over  a 
strongly  defined  and  darkly  shadowed  architectural  base,  will  be  the 
foreground;  a  wooded  plain,  extending  a  mile  beyond  the  foot  of  the 
slope  the  middle  distance,  and  the  partly  overgrown,  partl}^  cultivated 
hills  beyond  the  depression  of  the  Potomac  the  background;  the  latter 
so  far  removed  that  in  summer  conditions  of  light  and  atmosphere  it 
is  often  blue,  misty,  and  ethereal.  Because,  perhaps,  of  the  influence 
of  the  cool  waters  of  the  river  passing  between  the  dry  hills  from 
north  to  south  across  this  field  of  vision,  sunset  effects  are  often  to  be 
enjoj'^ed  from  the  west  face  of  the  Capitol  of  a  rare  loveliness. 


INDEX  TO  TREES  ABOUT  THE  CAPITOL,  WITH  ADVICE  TO  VISITORS  INTERESTED  IN 

THEM. 

The  interest  shown  by  many  visitors  in  the  young  growth  about  the 
Capitol  and  the  character  of  the  inquiries  made  by  them  is  a  gratify- 
ing evidence  of  the  growing  preparation  of  the  public  mind  to  give 
economic  forestry  its  due  national  importance,  and  also  of  a  rising 
disposition  to  study  the  choice  of  trees  and  methods  of  using  them  as 
aids  to  public  health  and  comfort,  and  as  means  for  the  decoration  of 
homes  and  the  improvement  of  scenery. 

As  to  citizens  from  all  parts  of  the  country  and  to  visitors  from 
abroad,  the  Capitol  is  often  the  first  and  a  more  continuous  attraction 
than  any  other  in  Washington,  it  is  not  surprising  that  its   small 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  211 

plantations  should  receive  more  than  their  due  share  of  attention  rel- 
atively to  other  expositions  of  sylviculture  near  by.  It  is  for  this 
reason  desired  not  only  that  such  information  about  them  as  is  more 
commonly  wanted  ma}^  be  made  readily  attainable  and  that  misleading 
in^pressions  of  the  purposes  they  are  meant  to  serve  may  be  guarded 
against,  but  that  visitors  may  be  advised  of 

THE    ADVANTAGES  OTHERWISE  OFFERED  IN  WASHINGTON  FOR  THE  STUDY 
AND   THE    ENJOYMENT   OF   TREES. 

The  climate  of  Washington  is  subject  to  great  extremes  of  heat  and 
cold,  dampness  and  dryness,  but,  for  some  not  clearly  established 
reasons,  it  seems  to  admit  of  an  unusual  range  of  vegetation,  and  allows 
of  the  growth  in  a  more  or  less  vigorous  or  depressed  way  of  numerous 
woody  plants  not  known  far  to  the  northward,  and  of  some  not  common 
to  the  southward,  except  at  considerable  elevations.  It  is  hospitable, 
also,  to  a  larger  number  of  foreign  trees  than  the  climate  of  most 
other  parts  of  the  country. 

The  Capitol  ground  is  not  planted  with  the  least  purpose  to  show 
what  is  possible  in  either  respect;  the  aim  in  the  larger  part  of  it  has 
been  to  avoid  exciting  interest  through  the  exhibition  of  strange 
qualities  in  trees,  especially  of  such  as  might  be  suggestive  of  unnat- 
ural or  forced  conditions,  or  of  stratagems  of  horticulture,  nor  have 
the  trees  to  be  found  in  it  been  given  position  with  a  view  to  conspicu- 
ously presenting  their  individual  qualities;  rather,  for  reasons  that 
will  be  later  given,  it  has  been  designed  to  obscure  these. 

But,  as  visitors  to  the  Capitol  often  find  trees  that  happen  to  be  new 
to  them,  and  about  which  they  wish  to  be  better  informed,  labels  have 
been  placed  before  a  large  number,  giving  names  under  which  inquiries 
can  be  made.  With  these  as  memoi'anda,  and  such  other  facilities  as 
are  supplied  by  the  maps  and  tables  herewith,  it  is  hoped  that  the 
Capitol  ground  ma}"  serve  to  many  as  an  introduction  to  such  better 
opportunities  as  are  offered  in  the  city,  there  being  few  trees  within 
it  of  which  more  instructive,  because  older,  examples  are  not  to  be 
seen  near  by  and  better  exhibited  because  planted  with  the  design  of 
exhibition. 

The  several  Government  plantations  in  which  the}"  may  be  looked 
for  are  unfortunatel}'  divided,  fragmentary,  and,  each  bv  itself,  incom- 
prehensive  and  incomplete,  thus  marking  the  result  of  sporadic  and 
unsustained  legislative  efforts,  and  even  of  efforts  in  some  cases  a  little 
at  cross  purposes  one  with  another.  Yet,  taken  together  and  with 
the  natural  growths  accidentalh"  available  to  supplement  them,  these 
plantations  promise  to  be  of  no  little  value  with  respect  to  the  long 
course  of  patient  study  upon  which  the  infant  science  of  American 
forestr}'  has  yet  to  be  brought  up.  Young  as  the}^  are.  nowhere  else 
in  the  country  can  as  wide  a  range  of  trees  be  found  equally  advanced, 


212  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

and  this  is  of  the  more  national  value  because  of  the  close  dependence 
of  the  science  of  forestiy  upon  that  of  meteorology  and  the  fact  that 
nowhere  else  in  the  country  are  as  full,  accurate,  precise,  and  scientific- 
ally collated  local  meteorological  records  accessible  as  in  Washington. 

Of  the  Government  plantations  referred  to  that  of  the  National 
Botanic  Garden  adjoins  the  Capitol  ground  on  the  west.  Its  germ 
was  a  collection  made  by  the  Wilkes  exploring  expedition  in  18'1:2,  of 
which  but  one  hardy  tree  remains  alive,  an  invalid  Jujube  {Zizyjykus). 
The  site  was  and  is  unsuitable  and  inadequate  for  the  purpose,  and  the 
curator  has  had  and  still  has  to  contend  with  obstacles  of  man}"  kinds, 
the  deadliest  being  a  lack  of  intelligent  public  interest  in  the  scientific 
objects  of  a  botanic  garden,  and  an  excess  of  interest  in  its  adventi- 
tious and  recreative  incidents. 

Among  the  exposed  trees  visitors  from  the  North  ma}'  be  glad  to 
have  their  attention  called  to  those  named  below. '^ 

The  Botanic  Garden  is  managed  directly  by  Congress  through  its 
library  committees.'' 

Half  a  mile  westward  is  another  national  collection  managed  ly  the 
agricultural  bureau  of  the  Department  of  the  Interior.  It  includes 
several  hundred  sorts  of  hard}^  trees  and  shrubs,  most  of  which  were 
planted  between  1865  and  1870.  The  trees  can  not  yet,  of  course, 
begin  to  exhibit  their  mature  character,  but  they  are  well  grown  for 
their  age  and  generally  of  excellent  promise,  forming  the  most  instruct- 
ive collection  in  the  country.  As  the  first  step  toward  a  national  for- 
estr}"  system  it  must  be  regretted  that  the  bureau  could  not  have  been 
allowed  more  space  and  means.  In  twenty  years,  if  thrifty,  the  trees 
will  in  many  cases  be  crowding  one  another.  An  official  lif-:t  of  the 
trees  can  be  procured.     The  curator  is  Mr.  William  Saunders. 

The  grounds  between  the  botanic  and  the  agricultural  collections, 
originall}"  planned  during  the  Administration  of  the  elder  President 
Adams  as  a  public  promenade,  under  the  name  of  "The  Mall,"  but 

•■'The  Bull  Bay,  or  great  evergreen  Magnolia  of  the  South  {Magnolia  grandiflora); 
the  Pecan  {Carya  olivseformis);  the  Whahoo  {Ulmus  alata);  the  Black  Maple  {Acer 
saccarinum  nigrum),  a  variety  of  the  sugar  maple  growing  better  in  the  South  than  the 
common  Northern  kind;  good-sized  specimens  of  the  Colchican  Maple  {Acer  colchi- 
cum),  from  Armenia;  the  Pride  of  China,  the  common  avenue  tree  of  the  cotton  States 
{Melia  azederach);  the  Asiatic  nettle  tree  {Celtis  orientnlis);  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon 
{Cedrus  Lehani);  the  Cedar  of  Mount  Atlas  (C  Ailantica);  the  Cedar  of  the  Sierras 
{Libocedrus  decurrens);  Christ's  Thorn  {Zizyphus  vulgaris);  European  and  Japanese 
Yews  {Taxas  hascata  slricta) ,  and  T.  adpressa  a.n&  Podocarpus  taxifoUa;  the  Chinese 
Water  Pine  {Glyjytostrobus  sineusus) ;  theSoapberry  {Sapindus  marginata) ,  and  Sterculia 
platifolia. 

""'A  library  filled  with  volumes  written  by  Nature,  and  which  those  who  have 
learned  the  language  of  Nature  can  read  and  enjoy  with  a  satisfaction  as  much  keener 
than  anything  that  man-made  books  can  give  as  it  is  nearer  to  the  source  of  all  truth." — 
L.  F.  Ward,  Bulletin  of  the  National  Museum,  No.  22. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  213 

neglected  and  its  design  gradually  lost  sight  of,  is  now  provisionall}' 
divnded  into  two  widely  different  plantations.  That  nearest  the  Capi- 
tol was  laid  out  and  planted  between  1872  and  1878  by  Orville  Bab- 
cock,  colonel  of  militar}^  engineers.  It  consists  of  small  sections  of 
mixed  forestrj^  with  borders  of  shrubbery  framed  within  formal  lines 
of  standard  trees;  the  different  sections  separated  in  one  direction  by 
straight  streets  retained  from  the  earlier  design,  and  in  the  other  hj 
roads  of  formal  curvature  with  decorative  planting  near  the  junctions. 
The  surface  is  generally  low,  the  soil  better  than  that  of  the  other 
grounds,  the  trees  at  present  well  cared  for,  atid  except  a  few  conifers, 
the  removal  of  which  will  be  a  gain,  of  promising  appearance.  They 
are  under  the  office  of  the  commissioner  or  buildings,  attached  to  the 
Executive  Mansion,  at  present  Col.  A.  F.  Rockwell,  U.  S.  A. 

West  of  Colonel  Babcock's  work  is  what  has  been  called  the  Smith- 
sonian Park,  but  though  originating  in  the  impulse  to  which  the 
founding  of  the  Institution  of  that  name  gave  rise,  and  contiguous  to 
its  building,  it  has  unfortunately  never  been  under  the  same  enlight- 
ened management.  It  should  have  special  and  reverent  attention,  as 
representing  the  onlj^  essay,  strictly  speaking,  yet  made  under  our 
Government  in  landscape  gardening,  for  though  the  aim  of  the  Capitol 
ground  planting  is  more  than  decorative,  it  is  necessarily  too  prim 
and  niggling,  and  is  too  much  controlled  b}"  engineering  and  archi- 
tectural considerations,  to  be  entitled  to  that  full  rank.  This  of  the 
Smithsonian  was  the  last  and  the  onl}"  important  public  work  of 
Downing,  who  was  not  only  a  master  of  the  art,  but  distinctl}"  a  man 
of  genius,  of  whom  his  country  should  alwa3^s  be  proud.  It  was 
designed  as  a  composition  of  natural  scenery  appropriate  to  be  assoei- 
ated  with  a  national  seat  of  learning,  and  was  regarded  ])v  him  as  the 
first  step  in  a  scheme  of  planting  to  be  extended  in  one  connected 
design  to  the  White  House  and  the  Potomac.  Upon  Downing's 
untimely  death,  in  1852,  the  larger  desig'n  was  suspended,  graduall}?^ 
lost  sight  of,  and  the  ground  has  since  been  in  considerable  part  laid 
out  under  successive  acts  of  Congress  b}"  parcels,  with  a  variety  of 
local  motives,  none  of  which  have  as  3"et  been  fully  realized.  As  to 
that  actuall}"  planted  under  Downing's  instructions,  those  to  whom  he 
gave  them  soon  dropped  off';  neglect  and  ill  usage  followed;  it  is  in 
parts  stuff}'  and  crowded,  and  in  others  run  down  and  poverty-stricken, 
but  in  no  other  planted  ground  near  Washington  is  there,  or  does 
there  promise  to  be,  any  tree  beauty  to  compare  with  what  has  been 
already  attained  in  it. 

Under  its  shades  Government  has  allowed  a  modest  memorial  of  the 
artist  to  be  placed  by  private  subscription.  Nowhere  will  a  monu- 
ment be  found  commemorating  a  riper  fruit  of  the  Republic,  more 
honorable  aspirations,  or  devotion  to  a  higher  standard  of  patriotic 
duty. 


214  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Near  the  Agricultural  ground  there  is  an  interesting  collection  of 
hardy  aquatic  plants  in  the  inclosure  of  the  Government  Fish  Com- 
mission, and  in  adjoining  buildings  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  and 
National  Museum  there  are  collections  of  woods  and  of  tree  products 
and  of  fossil  woods  and  plants. 

The  public  streets  of  Washington  have  been  planted,  mainly  between 
1870  and  1880,  with  upwards  of  tifty  thousand  (56,000)  trees  of  twenty 
different  sorts.  A  list  showing  where  rows  of  each  maj^  be  observed 
can  be  found  in  the  report  of  the  Parking  Commission.  Though  a 
considerable  proportion  are  of  quick-growing  kinds,  to.  which  most 
experts  object  as  too  straggling  in  mature  habit,  too  fragile,  liable  to 
accident,  and  short  lived,  and  though  the  amount  and  quality  of  soil 
provided  is  seldom  adequate  to  a  long-continued  vigorous  growth,  the 
work  on  the  whole  is  the  best  and  most  instructive  example  of  town- 
planting  to  be  seen  on  the  continent.  If  well  followed  up  in  the  care 
of  the  trees  the  results  will  give  Washington  a  distinction  among  the 
capital  towns  of  the  world — a  distinction  original,  representative,  and 
historic;  natural,  racy  of  the  soil,  congenial  with  the  climate,  in  unques- 
tionable good  taste,  indisputablj"  excellent  and  admirable;  little  of 
which  can  be  claimed  of  the  results  of  most  outlays  that  have  been 
made  by  government  for  the  improvement  of  the  city. 

The  work  thus  far  has  been  done  with  even  over-strained  economy 
under  the  unbroken  superintendence  of  three  professional  tree  masters, 
William  R.  Smith,  curator  of  the  Botanic  Garden;  William  Saunders, 
of  the  agricultural  tree  collection,  and  John  Saul,  who,  under  Down- 
ing, thirty  years  ago  planted  the  Smithsonian  Park,  of  either  of  whom 
information  ma}^  be  obtained,  and  to  whom  thanks  for  a  service  to  the 
nation,  as  yet  too  little  appreciated,  may  well  be  given. 

In  the  woods  of  natural  growth  about  Washington  many  sorts  of 
trees  may  be  found  that  are  not  indigenous  in  the  extreme  north. 
Among  them  there  is  the  Liquid  Amber  or  Sweet  Gum  (Z.  styraci- 
■flua)^  the  Willow  Oak  {Quercus  phellos)^  the  Laurel  Oak  {Querciis 
hnbricaria) ,  the  Persimmon  {Diosj}i//'os  m^rgiiiiana),  the  American 
Holly  {Ilex  ojxica),  the  Black  Walnut  {Inglans  nigra),  the  Swamp 
Magnolia  {M.  glanca)^  the  Red  Birch  {Betula  nigra),  a  strikingly  rustic 
beauty  of  extreme  grace,  as  commonly  observed  on  w^ater  banks  here- 
abouts, and  the  Catalpa  {C.  hignonioides). 

The  first  two  may  be  found  in  low  grounds,  often  in  association  with 
the  Tupelo  or  Sour  Gum  {Nyssa  multifiora)^  the  White  Ash  {Fraxiims 
americana)^  the  Scarlet  Maple  {Acer  7'uhmm),the  Scarlet  Oak  {Q.  coc- 
cinea),  the  Sassafras  {8.  officinale)^  which,  rarely  seen  except  as  a  shrub 
in  the  far  North,  is  here  a  stout  and  lofty  tree,  richly  furnished,  very 
sportive  in  its  forms  of  foliage,  and  often  excelling  all  other  deciduous 
trees  in  picturesqueness,  and  the  Dogwood  {Cornais  fiorkla),  growing 
with  a  dense  spreading  head  to  a  height  of  thirty  feet.     These,  with 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  215 

other  cornels,  several  of  the  shrubby  sumacs  {Hhus),  the  Climbing 
Sumac  (H.  toxicodendron)^  Bitter  Sweet  {Celastrus  scandeus)^  and  Vir- 
ginia Creeper  (Ampelopsis  qumquefplui),  all  being  remarkable  for  their 
autumnal  tints,  and  each  in  a  difierent  way,  form  combinations  novel 
and  delightful  to  the  Northern  ej^e.  In  a  favorable  season,  near  the 
fall  of  the  leaf,  visitors  from  over  .sea  will  nowhere  find  a  more  gorge- 
ous S3'lvan  spectacle  than  is  thus  presented  within  a  mile  of  the  cit}^, 
and  this  without  a  stroke  of  intentional  aid  from  any  human  hand. 
The  effect  is  often  augmented  by  lower  growths  than  an}-  that  have 
been  named,  as  of  huckleberries  and  brambles,  b}^  bright  fruits  and 
haws,  and  by  golden  and  purple  blooms  of  herbaceous  plants. 

Of  trees  to  which  Europeans  may  like  to  have  their  attention 
directed,  in  addition  to  those  alreadj^  named,  there  are  growing  wild, 
and  of  frequent  occurrence,  two  American  Elms,  the  Black  Cherry 
{Pnmus  scrotlna),  different  examples  of  which  var}"  much,  but  often  a 
remarkably  elegant  and  graceful  tree,  near  Washington;  the  Ameri- 
can Beech  {J^agus  ferruginia)^  a  neater  and  more  delicate  tree  than 
the  European;  the  Tulip  {Liriodendron  tulipifua)^  growing  to  great 
height  and  in  perfection;  the  Chestnut  {Castanea  vesca  (unericana)^ 
alwa3's,  when  well  grown,  a  noble  tree,  but  when  early  in  June  in 
bloom,  the  most  glorious  object  of  our  woods;  the  Hickories  (Oari/a), 
the  Butternut  (  Tnglans  cinerea),  and  eighteen  (indigenous)  sorts  of 
oaks,  at  the  head  of  which  the  White  Oak  {Q.  alba)  is,  under  favor- 
able conditions,  full}'  as  noble  a  monarch  of  the  forest  as  its  European 
brother,  the  Sacred  Oak  of  the  Druids  {Q.  jjedunculata).  Yet,  per- 
haps, for  broad  landscape  values  others  are  of  more  consequence,  and 
of  these  some,  from  their  more  feminine  beaut}",  reward  close  obser- 
vation also.  The  best  scenery  about  Washington  depends  for  its  char- 
acter chiefly  on  oaks.  The  Capitol  ground  has  good  examples  of 
several  (see  list  appended),  of  which  the  best  were  grown  from  acorns 
upon  it  or  in  the  adjoining  Botanic  Garden.  The  largest,  standing 
alone  on  the  turf  northeast  of  the  Washington  elm,  was  transplanted 
from  a  distance  when  eighteen  inches  in  diameter. 

A  number  of  shrubs,  known  only  as  garden  plants  in  the  North, 
grow  wild  in  profusion  about  Washington,  the  most  striking  and 
beautiful,  both  in  leaf  and  flower,  being  the  Virginia  Fringe-tree 
{Chionanthus  virginica).  This,  with  the  Silver  Bell  {Ilalesia  tetraj)- 
tera)  and  the  Virgilia  or  Yellowwood  {Oladastri.s  tint-tor ia)  may  often 
be  seen  in  the  form  of  small  trees,  the  last  two  attaining  a  height 
occasionally  of  30  feet  or  more,  with  graceful  forms,  and  light  and 
delicate  spray  and  leafage.  The  Chinquapin,  or  Dwarf  Chestnut 
{Castanea 2)uniila) ^  also  grows  naturally  about  Washington. 

Other  small  trees  and  bushes,  all  more  or  less  planted  now  in  Europe, 
but  which  foreigners  may  like  to  see  in  their  native  wild  state,  and 
which  are  common,  are  the  Shad  bush  {Anielanchiev  canadensis)^  a 


216  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

small  tree  of  great  refinement  of  aspect;  the  American  Witch  Hazel 
{Ilanimomelis  canadensis)^  several  Viburnums  and  Huckleberries,  and 
the  Spice  bush  {Lindera  henzoin).  •  Wild  grapes  and  Trumpet-creeper 
{Bignonia  radlcans)  are  also  common,  and  both  often  lend  a  charm  to 
situations  that  would  otherwise  be  the  reverse  of  attractive. 

Such  situations  are  unfortunately  common  near  Washington,  because 
mainly  so  much  of  the  land  has  been  ravaged  of  its  natural  fertility 
by  a  reckless  agriculture,  and  because,  when  once  cleared  of  its  pri- 
meval vegetation,  it  does  not,  as  it  might  further  north,  become  natu- 
rally clothed  b3^any  form  of  turf  or  other  close-knitting,  surface-rooting 
growth,  and  is,  in  consequence,  subject  to  be  kept  raw  and  gullied  by 
the  action  of  frost  and  rains. 

Under  these  cii'cumstances,  whatever  charm  there  might  otherwise 
be  in  the  landscapes  is  often  wholly  destroyed  by  foreground  condi- 
tions of  repulsive  rawness  and  shabbiness.  In  most  parts  of  Europe, 
not  naturally  turfy,  such  land  would  be  systematically  planted  with 
trees.  Here,  with  the  relatively  high  market  value  of  money  for 
various  other  forms  of  commercial  enterprise,  such  a  use  of  it  has  not 
yet  been  proved  profitable.  It  may  be  observed,  also,  that  no  plants 
are  here  indigenous  like  heather,  gorse,  or  broom,  such  as  in  Europe 
often  give  a  picturesque  and  at  times  exceedingl}"  lovely  aspect  to 
sterile  situations,  otherwise  of  forbidding  character.  It  is  not  certain 
that  these  plants  might  not  be  naturalized  (a  few  plants  of  broom  of 
several  years'  happy  growth  may  be  seen  in  the  C^apitol  ground).  It 
is  highly  prol^ablc  that  the  native  American  ally  of  the  broom,  called 
Woadwaxen  {Genista  tinctoria),  found  in  a  few  localities  to  the  north- 
ward, if  introduced,  would  serve  their  purpose.  But  at  present  woody 
vines  of  various  sorts  are  chiefly  of  value  in  this  respect,  and  of  this 
value  an  admirable  illustration  may  be  observed  in  Mr.  Saul's  nursery, 
where  a  large  extent  of  caving  banks  on  the  border  of  a  small  stream, 
occasional! J"  becoming  a  torrent,  have  been  made  within  a  few  years 
the  most  agreeable  feature  of  the  local  scener}^,  the  few  plants  of 
Japanese  (subevergreen)  honeysuckle  {Louicera  })r<ichi}>()da)^  originally 
set,  having  spread  with  the  greatest  profusion,  so  that  in  June  there 
are  acres  of  ground  over  which  the  air  is  loaded  with  the  delicious 
perfume  of  their  ])loom.  A  characteristic  exhibition  of  the  same  plant 
ma}"  be  seen  south  of  the  summerhouse  on  the  Capitol  ground,  and 
near  it  a  variety  of  plants  adapted  to  dress  rough  ground  unfit  for 
turf.  Among  the  best  of  these  is  the  Saint  John's  wort  {Hyporicwii)^ 
of  which  several  species  are  native  to  the  region. 

The  Red  Cedar  {Juniperusvirginiana)^  near  Washington,  generally 
assumes  a  form  so  different  from  that  common  in  man}"  parts  of  the 
North  that  it  may  pass  unrecognized,  and  an  effect,  distantly  recalling 
one  much  beloved  by  Turner  and  seen  in  most  of  his  landscapes  of 
southern  Europe,  sometimes  occurs  (on  the  hills  north  of  the  Reform 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTllICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  217 

School  on  the  eastern  road  to  Bladensburg  Spa,  for  example),  the 
horizontal  strata  of  the  Italian  Stone  Pine  beinp^  represented  by  the 
Yellow  Pine  {Pin  us  mitis),  and  the  fastigiate  Cypress  by  the  form 
referred  to  of  the  Red  Cedar. 

Two  short  excursions  may  be  recommended  to  the  visitor  wishing 
to  cursorily  observe  the  general  character  of  the  natural  forest.  One 
through  the  romantic  woods  of  Rock  Creek,  best  made  on  foot  or  in 
the  saddle,  taking  by  the  way  the  Government  property  of  the  Sol- 
diers' Home,  which  contains  man}^  introduced  coniferous  trees  of  about 
thirt}^  years'  growth.  The  other  by  rowing  on  the  Potomac  above 
West  Washington,  where  boats  for  the  purpose  can  be  had.  This 
offers  a  pleasing  illustration  of  closely  wooded  American  riverside 
scener}^,  large  in  general  outline  and  mass,  with  considerable  pictur- 
esqueness  of  detail  under  the  shadow  of  moderately  well-grown  forest 
trees.  It  is  much  resorted  to,  and  somewhat  misused  and  damaged  by 
boating  and  picnic  parties.  It  is  hard  that  in  the  interest  of  posterity 
these  two  sylvan  treasures  of  the  capital,  the  wooded  declivities  of  the 
Upper  Potomac  and  the  wilds  of  Rock  Creek,  can  not  in  some  wa}"  be 
protected  against  the  destructiveness  which  the  hope  of  the  smallest 
private  pecuniary  profit  is  liable  at  any  moment  to  bring  upon  them. 
Samples  ma}'  be  already  found  of  the  hateful  desert  which  ma}^  be 
thus  quickly  substituted. 

The  scope  of  the  foregoing  advice  has  been  limited  to  trees  and 
woody  plants.  Those  who  wish  to  have  a  more  extended  list  of  what 
may  be  looked  for,  as  well  as  all  interested,  whether  as  botanists  or  as 
lovers  of  nature  in  local,  annual,  perennial  plants,  will  find  the  best 
of  aid  in  a  Government  publication  prepared  by  Mr.  Lester  F.  Ward, 
of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  (Guide  to  the  Flora  of  Washington — 
Bulletin  No.  22,  of  the  National  Museum). 

Of  the  banks  of  the  Potomac  above  referred  to,  Mr.  Ward  says: 
'"'The  ))eauty  of  their  natural  flower-gardens  in  the  months  of  April 
and  Ma}^  is  unequaled  in  my  experience."  Elsewhere  he  states  that 
fifty  several  sorts  of  plants  may  usually  be  found  in  flower  before  the 
1st  of  April  (p.  31) — that  is  to  say,  before,  in  the  latitude  of  Albany, 
the  ground  may  ])e  unlocked  from  ice. 


218  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

LIST  OF  TREES  AND  SHRUBS  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  CAPITOL  GROUNDS. 

Habitat. 

Abelia  rupestris China. 

Acer  campestre.     English  field  maple Europe. 

Acer  dasycari^um.     Silver  maple Atlantic  States. 

Acer  laetum Caucasus. 

Acer  palmatum Japan. 

atropur^jureum Japan. 

versicolor .Japan. 

laciniata  variegata Japan. 

rosea  marginata Japan. 

reticulatum   Japan. 

micranthum Japan. 

polj^cristata Japan. 

^sculus  glabra.     Ohio  buckeye Western  States. 

.^sculus  hipioocastanum.     Horse-chestnut Persia. 

Aralia  chinensis   Eastern  Asia. 

spinosa.     Hercules'  club Atlantic  States. 

Amorpha  fruticosa.     False  indigo Atlantic  States. 

Aucuba  Japonica  Japan. 

Azalia  amcena China. 

mollis Japan. 

nudiflora  Atlantic  States. 

Benzoin  odorif erum.     Spice  bush Atlantic  States. 

Berberis  aquifolium.     Oregon  grapes North  Pa<'ific  States. 

f  ortunei China. 

japonica.     Japan  mahonia Japan. 

thunbergii Japan. 

vulgaris.     Barberry - Europe. 

vulgaris  atropurpurena.     Purple  l>arberry Hort. 

Betula  alba.     White  birch North  Europe. 

lenta.     Black  hivch xltlantic  States. 

Buxus  Japonica Japan. 

sempervirens,  var.     Tree  box Europe. 

Round-leaved  box Hort. 

Golden  variegated  box Hort. 

Narrow-leaved  box Hort. 

Callicarpa  Americana South  Atlantic  States, 

Calycanthus  floridus.     Sweet-scented  shrub South  Atlantic  States. 

Caragana  arborescens.     Si  Iberian  pea Siberia. 

Carpinas  caroliniana.     Water  beech Atlantic  States. 

duinensis Caucasus. 

Carya  olivwformis.     Pecan  nut Western  States. 

Castanea  pumila.     Chinquajiin Southern  States. 

vesca.     Sweet  chestnut Europe. 

Catalpa  bignonioides South  Atlantic  States. 

Catalpa  bignonoides  aurea.     Golden  catalpa Hort. 

bungei,  var.  nana.     Dwarf  catalpa Hort. 

Cedrella  sinensis Northern  China. 

Celastrus  scandeus.     Bittersweet Atlantic  States. 

Cereis  eanadenis.     Red  1  )ud Atlantic  States. 

chinensis Eastern  Asia. 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  219 

Habitat. 

Chameecyparis  obtusa.     (Retinospora) Japan. 

nana.     (Retinospo) Japan. 

plumosa.     (Retinospora) Japan. 

squarrosa.     (Retinospora) Japan. 

I^isifera.     ( Retinospora) Japan. 

aurea.     ( Retinospora ) Japan . 

Chionanthus  virginica.     Fringe  tree Routh  Atlantic  States. 

Cladrastis  tinctoria.     Yellowwood Kentucky  and  Tennessee. 

Clerodendron  trichotomum Japan. 

Clethra  aluifolia.     White  alder Atlantic  States. 

Colueta  arborescens.     Bladder  senna Europe. 

Cornus  florida.     Flowering  dogwood Atlantic  States. 

mas.     Cornel Europe. 

variegata Hort. 

paniculata North  Atlantic  States. 

stolonifera.     Red  osier Atlantic  States. 

stricta.     Stiff  cornel Southern  States. 

Corylus  americanus.     American  hazel Atlantic  States. 

tupulosa  atropurdurea.     Purple  hazel Europe. 

Cotoneaster  acuminata  simonsii Himalayas. 

microphy  ]  la Siberia. 

Crataegus  crus-galli,  var.     New  Castle  thorn Atlantic  States. 

oxyacantha.     Hawthorn Europe. 

var.     Hawthorn Europe. 

Daphne  cheoreum Europe. 

Deutzia  gracilis Japan. 

scabra .* Japan. 

fiore  pleuo Hort. 

purpurea Hort. 

Diervilla  hortensis Japan. 

alba Hort. 

nivea Hort. 

graridiflora  variegata Hort. 

rosea China. 

amabilis Hort. 

foliis  variegata Hort. 

grandiflora,  var.     Van  Houttei Hort. 

Diospyros  virginiana.     Persimmon Atlantic  States. 

Eleagnus  hortensis Southern  Europe. 

Erica  carnea Europe. 

politiolia Europe. 

Euonymus  americanus.     Strawl terry  bush Atlantic  States. 

atropurpureus.     Burning  ))ush Atlantic  States. 

Japonicus Japan. 

variegata Hort. 

radicans  Japan. 

Fagus  ferruginea.     American  beech Atlantic  States. 

sylvatica.     European  beech Europe. 

purpurea.     Purple  beech Europe. 

incisa.     Cut-leaved  l^eech Europe. 

Forsythia  f ortunei China. 

suspensa China. 

vividissima China. 


220  PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Habitat. 

Fraxinus  americana.     White  ash Atlantic  States. 

excelsior.     European  ash Europe. 

Gymnocladus  canadensis.     Kentucky  coffee  tree Western  States. 

Halesia  tetraptera.     Silver  bell South  Atlantic  States. 

Hedera  helix  hibernica.     Irish  ivy    Europe. 

Hibiscus  syriacus.     Althea Syria. 

Hippophfe  rhamnoides.     Sea  buckthorn Europe. 

Hydrangea  hortensea Japan. 

paniculata  grandiflora Japan. 

Hypericum  prolificum.     St.  John's  wort Atlantic  States. 

Idesia  polycarpa Japan. 

Ilex  aquifolium.     English  holly Europe. 

augustif  olium Hort. 

ferox.     Hedgehog  holly Hort. 

argentea Hort. 

aurea Hort. 

opaca.     American  holly Atlantic  States. 

Jasminum  nudiflorum.     Yellow  jessamine China. 

Juniperus  recurva  squamata Nepaul. 

sabina.     Jmiiper Northern  Hemisphere. 

nana.     Prostrate  juniper Northern  States. 

tamariscifolia Europe. 

Koelreuteria  paniculata China. 

Laburnum  \'ulgare.     Golden  chain Europe. 

Lagerstraemia  indica  rubra.     Crepe  myrtle India. 

Ligustrum  ovalif olium J apan. 

vulgare.     Privet Europe. 

Liquidamljar  styraciflua.     Sweet  gum Atlantic  States. 

Liriodendron  tulipif era.     Tulip  tree Atlantic  States. 

Lonicera  brachypoda.     Honeysuckle Japan. 

aurea  reticulata Japan. 

f ragrantissima.     Bush  honeysuckle China. 

tartarica.     Tartarian  honeysuckle Siberia. 

Maciura  aurantiaca.     Osage  orange Arkansas. 

Magnolia  acuminata.     Cucumber  tree Atlantic  States. 

conspi<cua.     Yulan China. 

cordata.     Yellow  cucumber  tree South  Atlantic  States. 

glauca.     Sweet  bay Atlantic  States. 

grandiflora.     Bull  bay South  Atlantic  States. 

tripelata.     Umbrella  tree South  Atlantic  States. 

purpurea.     Purple  magnolia Japan. 

Morus  alba.     White  mulberry Europe. 

rubra.     Red  mulberry Atlantic  States. 

Neillia  opulifolia Atlantic  States. 

aurea Hort. 

Nyssa  sylvalica.     Sour  gum Atlantic  States. 

Ostrya  A'irginica.     Hop  hornljeam Atlantic  States. 

Paulownia  imperialis Jai^an. 

Phellodendron  amurense Manchuria. 

Philadelphus  coronarius.     Mock  orange China. 

grandiflora.     Syringa South  Atlantic  States. 

inodorus South  Atlantic  States. 

Pirus  coronaria South  Atlantic  States. 

japouica.     Japan  quince  ..............0 Japan. 


PAEK   SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  221 

Habitat. 

Planera  aquatica.     Water  elm South  Atlantic  States. 

Platanus  occiden talis.     Sycamore Atlantic  States. 

orientalis.     Oriental  plane Western  Europe. 

Podocarpus  taxifolia Japan. 

Populus  augustifolia.     Willow-leaved  poplar Rocky  Mountains. 

Prunus  jajjonica Japan. 

flore  pleno Japan. 

sinensis.     Sand  pear China. 

padus.     Bird  cherry Europe. 

serotina.     Rum  cherry Atlantic  States. 

spinosa.     Sloe Europe. 

triloba China. 

Quercus  alba.     White  oak Atlantic  States. 

cerris.     Turkey  oak Europe. 

imbricaria.     Shingle  oak Europe. 

macrocarpa.     Bur  oak Atlantic  States. 

palustris.     Pin  oak Atlantic  States. 

phellos.     Willow  oak South  Atlantic  States. 

prinus.     Chestnut  oak Atlantic  States. 

prinoides.     Chinquapin  oak Atlantic  States. 

robur.     English  oak Europe. 

Concordia Hort. 

nigricans Hort. 

Rhamnus  Caroiiniana South  Atlantic  States. 

catharticus.     Buckthorn Europe. 

Rhus  cotinus.     Smoke  bush Southern  Europe. 

glabra  laciniata.     Cut-leaved  sumac Pennsylvania. 

Rubus  lencodermis Japan. 

Rosa  rubiginosa.     Sweet  brier Europe. 

rugosa Japan. 

Salisl)uria  biloba.     Gingko China. 

Sambucus  canadensis  variegata.     Variegated  elder Atlantic  States. 

Sassafras  officinale Atlantic  States. 

Shepherdia  argentea.     Buffalo  berry Western  North  America. 

Sophora  Japonica Japan. 

Spirea  cantoniensis China. 

champedrif  olia Siberia. 

Japonica  alba Japan. 

rubra Japan. 

Lindleyana Himalayas. 

Douglassii  var California. 

prunifolia Japan. 

Thumbergii .Taiwan. 

Staphylea  trif olia.     Bladder-nut Atlantic  States. 

Styrax  Japonicum Japan. 

officinale Europe. 

Symphoricarpus  racemosus.     Snowberrj' North  America. 

vulgaris.     Indian  current Northern  States. 

Syringa  Josikoea Central  Europe. 

Persica.     Persian  lilac Western  Asia. 

vulgaris.     Lilac 4 Euroiae. 

alba.     White  lilac Europe. 

Tamarix  Af ricana.     Tamarisk Southern  Europe. 


222  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

.   Habitat. 

Taxns  adpressa Japan. 

baccata.     Yew Europe. 

aurea.     Golden  yew Hort. 

Tilia  Americana.     Basswood Atlantic  States. 

Europaea.     Linden Europe. 

heterophylla.     White  basswood Atlantic  States. 

Ulnius  Americana.     American  elm Atlantic  States. 

alata.     Whahoo Southern  States. 

campestris.     English  elm Europe. 

f astigiata.     Fastigiate  elm Hort. 

microphylla Hort. 

pendule.     Weeping  elm Hort. 

Ulmus  campestris  purpurea.     Purple  elm Hort. 

var.     Huntingdon  elm Hort. 

Montana.     Putch  elm Europe. 

Viburnuni  opulus.     Guelder  rose Europe. 

plicatum Japan. 

prunifolium Atlantic  States. 

ZizyphuH  vulgaris.     Christ's  thorn Southern  Europe. 


SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS  NO.  16. 


THE  EIGHTEENTH  AND  TWENTIETH  CENTURY  PLANS 
FOR  WASHINGTON  CITY. 

[Paper  read  before  the  National  Arts  Club,  New  York,  February  12,  1902,  by  Glenn  Brown,  F.  A.  I.  A.] 


April  7,  1902. — Printed  for  the  use  of  the  committee. 


I  felt  a  slight  diffidence  in  complying  with  the  request  of  j^our  sec- 
retaiy  when  asked  to  read  a  paper  in  the  metropolis.  This  diffidence 
passed  away  when  I  called  to  mind  that  I  was  simply  to  describe  what 
Washington  and  L'Enfant  did  for  the  capital  city  at  the  end  of  the 
eighteenth  century,  and  what  New  York,  Chicago,  and  Boston,  through 
Daniel  H.  Burnham,  Charles  F.  McKim,  Augustus  Saint  Gaudens,  and 
Frederick  Law  Olmsted,  jr.,  propose  to  do  for  it  at  the  beginning  of 
the  twentieth  century. 

The  original  map  of  Washington,  made  in  1791,  was  the  first  plan 
designed  and  drawn  for  a  capital  city  of  a  nation.  Other  capitals  have 
been  a  growth,  beginning  as  villages  without  design  or  thought  of 
future  progress,  and  in  their  gradual  development  from  village  to 
town  and  their  final  expansion  into  a  city,  have  been  hampered  by  the 
original  lines  of  roadways,  the  gradual  addition  of  streets  and  sub- 
urbs and  the  location  of  more  or  less  important  buildings.  Gradual 
growth  has  often  produced  picturesqueness,  never  stateliness  or  gran- 
deur such  as  would  befit  a  capital  city.  Many  cities,  after  the  country 
which  they  represent  has  grown  in  wealth  and  power,  have  attempted 
with  varying  success  to  remedy  this  want  of  an  original,  efl^ective,  and 
harmonious  design.  Paris  has  undergone  man}'  such  changes,  the  later 
ones  under  Napoleon  III,  who  at  enormous  expense  opened  new 
avenues  and  boulevards  directl}"  through  the  city,  so  as  to  command 
a  view  of  focal  points,  and  beautified  the  city  with  numerous  parks 
and  works  of  art. 

Although  the  effects  accomplished  in  Paris,  when  viewed  in  connec- 
tion with  beautiful  buildings,  majestic  arches,  graceful  columns,  artis- 
tic statuary,  and  pleasing  gardens,  have  been  greater  than  similar 
accomplishments  in  other   cities  of   the  world,  Paris  is  not  what  it 

223 


224  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

would  be  if  the  great  architects  of  building  and  landscape  had  been 
unhampered  by  existing  conditions. 

St.  Petersburg  was  selected  as  the  seat  of  the  Russian  Government 
in  1703  and  was  located  on  a  site  where  no  city  existed.  Little  atten- 
tion was  at  first  given  to  its  development  on  broad  lines.  It  appar- 
ently grew  as  other  cities  have  grown,  little  thought  having  been 
given  to  the  grandeur  of  effect  that  might  have  been  attained  by  a 
comprehensive  and  well-studied  original  plan. 

London,  after  the  great  fire  in  September,  1666,  had  an  opportunity 
to  make  a  complete  rectification  of  the  unhappy  results  unavoidable 
in  the  plan  of  a  city  developed  by  gradual  growth.  There  was  a 
determined  effort  made  to  take  advantage  of  this  opportunity.  Sir 
Christopher  Wren  made  a  very  clever  and  comprehensive  plan — the 
first  plan  that  I  have  been  able  to  discover  of  a  city  with  streets 
radiating  from  central  points.  The  sites  of  prominent  buildings, 
monuments,  and  columns  were  indicated  and  arranged  so  as  to  give 
pleasing  objects  of  sight  at  the  end  of  many  vistas,  as  well  as  open 
spaces  which  offered  opportunity  for  a  closer  view.  Unfortunately 
the  plan  of  Sir  Christopher  Wren  ha^  never  been  executed.  The 
difficulty  of  adjusting  conflicting  claims  proved  unsurmountable. 

The  causes  which  influenced  our  forefathers  to  be  the  first  to  la}'  out 
a  city  on  a  grand  and  comprehensive  scale  are  interesting  topics  for 
investigation.  The  data  and  precedents  from  which  the}'  evolved  the 
noble  plan  presented  in  the  map  of  the  city  of  Washington  are  subjects 
for  study.  During  the  first  fifty  years  of  the  city's  history  this  great- 
ness of  sca'le  an  I  its  magnificent  distances  were  a  constant  cause  of 
ridicule  among  the  thoughtless,  and  it  was  common  to  read  and  hear 
sneers  from  our  own  countr}'  and  Europe  on  its  magnificent  preten- 
sions from  those  who  could  not  appreciate  the  future  of  the  United 
States.  The  grandeur  of  the  scale,  as  well  as  the  character  of  the 
scheme  which  was  approved,  clearly  indicated  the  confidence  of  the 
projectors  in  the  future  prosperit}^  of  our  countr3\  It  was  evidently 
their  judgment  that  the  best  plan  on  a  generous  scale  would  not  be 
too  good  or  too  large  for  the  future  capital  of  the  United  States. 
General  Washington,  as  a  surve3'or  and  as  a  man  of  rare  judgment, 
broad  common  sense,  and  great  business  capacity,  selected  the  most 
skilled  members  of  the  profession  of  landscape  and  architecture  that 
could  be  obtained  to  assist  in  the  making  of  the  cit}'.  He  cautioned 
his  assistants  against  vagaries  in  design  and  insisted  upon  following 
rules  and  principles  as  laid  down  b}'  the  older  masters  in  their  profes- 
sion. Washington  was  fortunate  in  securing  Peter  Charles  L'Enfant, 
with  whose  abilities  he  was  well  acquainted,  to  design  the  map  for  the 
new  city.  Washington  and  L'Enfant  together  made  a  careful  personal 
study  of  the  ground  and  located  the  site  for  the  principal  edifices, 
monuments,  and  parks.     The  first  or  tentative  draft  was  made  and 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  225 

submitted  to  Washington,  and  after  modifications  the  final  map  was 
drawn  as  we  have  it  to-da3\  What  influenced  them  in  the  general 
arrangement  of  avenues  radiating  from  focal  points  of  interest?  Why- 
was  the  Mall  planned  from  the  east,  with  broad  and  extended  vistas  on 
their  axes? 

What,  then,  were  the  sources  from  which  L'Enfant  drew  his  inspira- 
tion in  designing  the  plan  ?  To  what  influence  did  Washington  turn 
when  making  his  criticisms  and  modifications? 

L'Enfant  did  not  attempt  to  draw  up  the  scheme  without  first  care- 
fully studying  what  had  been  accomplished  in  other  parts  of  the  world. 

We  know  that  he  wrote  April  4,  1791,  asking  Jefferson,  Secretary 
of  State,  to  obtain  maps  of  London,  Paris,  Venice,  Madrid,  Amster- 
dam, Naples,  and  Florence,  stating  that  it  was  not  his  wish  to  copy 
the  plan  of  these  cities,  but  that  he  might  have  a  variety  of  schemes 
for  consideration.  We  know  from  a  letter  of  Jefferson's  April  10, 
1791,  that  Jefl'erson  sent  him,  from  his  personal  collection,  maps  of 
the  following  cities:  Frankfort  on  the  Main,  Carlesruhe,  Amsterdam, 
Strassburg,  Paris,  Orleans,  Bordeaux,  L3^ons,  Montpelier,  Marseille, 
Turin,  and  Milan.  The  probability  is  that  he  obtained  for  L'Enfant  the 
other  maps  for  which  a  request  was  made.  A  comparison  of  the  maps 
of  the  cities  mentioned,  as  well  as  other  cities  in  Europe,  proves  that 
the}^  supplied  L'Enfant  with  only  isolated  suggestions  for  the  treatment 
which  he  adopted. 

Paris,  as  we  know  it  to-day,  suggests  more  forcibly  than  other  cities 
some  of  the  marked  features  of  Washington,  in  the  streets  and  avenues 
which  radiate  from  the  Arch  of  Triumph  and  the  Place  of  the  Nation. 
Probably  the  majority  of  the  people  of  the  present  day  who  are 
familiar  with  Paris  assume  that  it  was  here  L'Enfant  found  the  idea 
on  which  he  enlarged  in  making  his  design  for  Washington.  Napoleon  I 
inaugurated  improvements  and  Napoleon  III  completed  the  S3^stem  of 
avenues  leading  to  points  of  interest.  L'Enfant's  map  was  engraved 
in  1792,  when  Napoleon  I  was  an  unknown  man.  The  Paris  of  1791 
had  nothing  in  arrangements  of  streets  which,  judging  from  L'Enfant's 
design,  could  have  appealed  to  him.  The  numerous  small  squares 
and  the  parked  way  of  the  Champs  Elysees  may  have  and  probable 
did  suggest  the  man}^  small  parks,  as  well  as  the  proposed  treatment 
of  the  Mall. 

The  first  question  which  would  have  presented  itself  to  L'Enfant  in 
the  solution  of  the  problem  was  of  the  possible  number  of  residents 
in  the  future  and  the  size  of  a  cit}'  to  accommodate  them.  London 
in  that  day  had  approximately  800,000  inhabitants,  and  Paris  at  the 
same  date  600,000  people.  The  area  on  which  these  cities  were  built 
had  been  a  site  for  a  village,  town,  or  city  nearl}^  two  thousand  years. 
The}^  represented  the  capital  cities  of  the  two  most  powerful  countries 
of  the  world  in  L'Enfant's  time.  With  this  data  before  him  he  fixed 
p  1—03 15 


226  PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

the  area  of  the  new  city  at  about  16  square  miles,  which  would  accom- 
modate, on  the  basis  of  the  population  of  Paris,  800,000  people.  The 
boldness  and  foresight  of  these  city  makers  is  a  matter  of  wonder, 
when  we  remember  the  population  of  the  United  States  was  4,600,000 
at  this  period. 

The  next  problem  for  solution  was  the  location  of  the  principal 
building's,  commemorative  monuments,  and  so  situating  them  as  to 
enhance  their  effect  and  at  the  same  time  make  them  the  crowning 
features  of  the  surrounding  landscape. 

The  map  of  Paris,  as  well  as  his  knowledge  of  that  city,  furnished 
L'Enfant  numerous  examples  of  palatial  buildings,  statuary,  and  monu- 
ments, but,  with  the  exception  of  the  Champs  Elysees,  few  if  any  sug- 
gestions as  to  the  location  of  such  objects  of  interests  that  they  could  be 
seen,  enjoyed,  and  produce  the  happiest  effect  in  connection  with  their 
surroundings.  The  Mall  as  the  grand  garden  approach  to  the  Capitol 
would  naturally  have  suggested  itself  from  a  study  of  the  Champs 
Elysees  and  the  Garden  of  the  Tuileries,  and  of  the  more  beautiful 
garden  approach  to  Versailles. 

How  far  should  water  effects  be  introduced  as  a  feature  in  the  new 
plan  ?  L'Enfant  in  his  request  for  a  plan  of  Amsterdam  and  Venice 
evidently  had  water  effects  in  view,  and  carrying  out  this  idea  he  sug- 
gested on  his  map  a  treatment  of  wharves,  arranged  for  open  views  to 
the  broad  Potomac,  and  introduced  a  canal,  with  water  basins,  cascades, 
and  fountains,  all  of  which  would  have  added  wonderfully  to  the  beauty 
of  the  city  if  they  had  not  been  abandoned,  A  part  of  the  water 
scheme  was  executed  in  the  form  of  a  canal,  but  this  was  turned  into 
an  open  sewer  and  eventually  made  a  covered  sewer. 

The  most  unique  and  distinctive  feature  of  Washington,  its  numer- 
ous focal  points  of  interest  and  beauty  from  which  radiate  the  prin- 
cipal streets  and  avenues,  was  not  suggested  b}^  any  city  of  Europe, 
three  streets  converging  toward  a  building  or  a  square  being  the  near- 
est approximation  to  the  idea  shown  upon  the  map  of  any  European 
city  of  that  date.  As  I  have  mentioned  before,  after  the  great  fire  in 
London  in  September,  1666,  Sir  Christopher  Wren  made  a  design  for 
a  rearrangement  of  the  streets  and  a  grouping  of  the  various  build- 
ings in  London.  This  unexecuted  plan  of  Wren's  was  apparently  the 
first  to  suggest  the  radiation  of  streets  from  central  points  of  inter- 
est, and  in  it  he  has  several  such  centers.  Engravings  of  this  map 
were  published  in  various  histories  of  London  during  L'Enfant's  da}". 
When  Jefferson  requested  the  maps  of  London  there  can  be  little 
doubt  that  this  design  was  among  the  number  procured  and  given  to 
L'Enfant.  When  Louis  XIV  of  France  made  Versailles  one  of  his 
principal  residences,  Le  Notre,  who  was  director  of  buildings  and 
gardens  for  the  grand  monarch,  laid  out  the  garden  of  Versailles,  one 
of  the  most  pleasing,  impressive,  as  well  as  magnificent,  pieces  of  formal 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  227 

landscape  in  existence  at  the  present  day.  This  was  designed  in  1664. 
In  this  garden  we  have  a  highly  developed  plan  showing  points  of 
interest  and  beauty  from  which  radiate  avenues  and  walks.  We  can 
not  question  but  that  L'Enfant  was  familiar  with  this  piece  of  land- 
scape, and  it,  together  with  the  suggestion  of  Wren,  we  may  reason- 
ably think,  induced  L'Enfant  to  try  this  same  idea  !n  the  building  of 
a  city  instead  of  a  garden,  as  well  as  influenced  him  in  the  principal 
and  most  imposing  feature  of  the  Mall. 

Washington  had  never  been  across  the  ocean,  but  he  was  undoubtedly 
the  man  to  stud}^  the  maps  of  existing  cities  from  which  it  has  already 
been  shown  that  he  could  have  found  but  little  to  influence  him  as 
suggestions  for  the  final  plan  of  Washington  City. 

Washington  was  familiar  with  the  cities  in  this  country,  and  strange 
as  it  may  seem  there  are  suggestions  in  two  of  the  small  cities  of  the 
United  States  which  may  have  influenced  at  least  Washington  in  approv- 
ing and  modifjdng  the  scheme  submitted  by  L'Enfant.  Annapolis 
has  two  focal  points  from  which  several  streets  radiate.  It  is  stated 
in  the  older  accounts  of  Annapolis  that  the  plan  was  copied  from  Sir 
Christopher  Wren's  design  for  London.  This  is  probably  a  fact,  tak- 
ing a  small  section  of  London  as  a  basis.  It  is  most  probable  that 
Washington  was  familiar  with  this  fact.  Williamsburg,  Va.,  had  a 
mall — an  imposing  tract  of  green  around  which  imposing  colonial 
buildings  were  grouped  and  toward  which  the  principal  streets  con- 
verged. This  was  also  probably  based  on  Wren's  plan  for  London. 
Washington  was  f  amitiar  with  these  two  cities,  and  undoubtedly  appre- 
ciated the  pleasing  effect  of  their  plan.  He  was  ready  to  appreciate 
and  indorse  a  suggestion  of  similar  treatment,  multiplied  b}^  numerous 
additional  centers  with  vistas  from  one  to  the  other,  with  the  principal 
buildmgs  located  on  the  most  prominent  and  pleasing  sites,  and  with 
a  mall  around  which  was  to  have  been  grouped  many  of  the  principal 
edifices. 

Although  I  have  endeavored  to  call  attention  to  the  data  to  which  L'En- 
fant could  have  had  access  and  the  surroundings  which  may  have  influ- 
enced him  in  the  formulation  of  the  city  of  Washington,  I  do  not  mean 
to  detract  in  any  wa}^  from  his  fame.  All  great  artistic  achievements 
have  been  a  system  of  evolution  and  growth,  usually  a  growth  of  long 
periods  of  time.  It  is  truly  remarkable  and  proved  L'Enfant  a  man  of 
genius  to  evolve  in  a  short  period  from  the  meager  suggestions  which 
he  could  have  possessed  such  a  truly  good  and  artistic  scheme  for  a 
new  and  great  city. 

The  design  indicated  a  comprehensive  study  of  the  streets  so 
arranged  as  to  make  effective  distant  vistas  of  the  buildings,  columns, 
fountains,  and  arches  proposed,  as  well  as  to  give  the  most  direct 
access  for  business  or  pleasure;  parks  located  so  as  to  enhance  the 
buildings  and  other  art  structures,  and  give  opportunity  for  pleasing 


228  PAKK    SYSTEM    OE^   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

\'iows  upon  near  approach;  the  grouping  of  buildings  along  the  Mall 
so  as  to  produce  harmonious  and  artistic  effects  as  well  as  to  serve  best 
for  utilitarian  purposes.  I  beg  leave  to  quote  from  my  History  of 
the  United  States  Capitol:^ 

The  more  the  scheme  laid  out  by  Washington  and  L'  Enfant  is  studied,  the  more 
forcibly  it  strikes  one  as  the  best.  It  is  easy  to  imagine  a  vista,  through  green  trees 
and  over  a  green  sward  400  feet  wide,  beginning  at  the  Capitol  and  ending  at  the 
Monument,  a  distance  of  nearly  a  mile  and  a  half,  bounded  on  both  sides  by  parks 
600  feet  wide,  laid  out  by  a  skilled  landscape  architect  and  adorned  by  the  work  of 
capable  artists.  Looking  from  the  central  open  space  across  the  park  a  continuous 
line  of  beautiful  buildings  was  to  have  formed  the  background.  They  were  not 
to  have  been  deep  enough  to  curtail  either  the  artistic  or  natural  beauties  of  the 
park  or  to  encroach  upon  the  people's  right  to  air  space.  By  this  time  such  an 
avenue  of  green  would  have  acquired  a  world-wide  reputation  if  it  had  been  carried 
out  by  competent  landscape  architects,  artists,  and  sculptors,  consulting  and  working 
in  harmony. 

The  radiating  streets  with  their  central  points  of  interest  were  laid 
out  as  designed,  the  Capitol  and  the  White  House  were  located  on  the 
sites  selected  for  them.  After  Madison's  Administration  the  idea  of 
the  founders  was  apparently  forgotten.  The  noble  approach  to  the 
Capitol  and  the  imposing  vista  planned  from  the  Mall  was  ignored. 
Imposing  monumental  buildings,  instead  of  being  located  as  suggested 
for  monumental  effect  and  utilitarian  results,  have  been  built  haphaz- 
ard, here  and  there,  with  no  suggestion  of  grouping  or  harmony  and 
without  artistic  results.  Vistas,  one  of  the  beauties  of  the  original 
plan,  have  been  destroyed  and  ignored. 

Some  seven  ye^vs  ago,  while  studying  the  location  of  buildings  in  con- 
nection with  my  histor}^  of  the  Capitol,  the  remarkable  beauties  and 
utilitarian  features  of  the  L' Enfant  plan  were  first  called  forcibly  to 
my  attention.  The  subject  was  so  attractive  that  I  felt  constrained 
to  write  an  article  for  the  Architectural  Review  in  Boston"  on  the  sub- 
ject, urging  the  feasibility  and  desirability  of  reinstating  this  plan 
and  bidlding  future  Government  structures  on  the  lines  originally 
suggested. 

During  the  convention  held  in  Washington,  December,  1900,  the 
American  Institute  of  Architects  had  for  their  principal  topic  of  dis- 
cussion the  "Future  grouping  of  Government  buildings  and  the  park 
treatment  of  Washington  City."  Many  of  the  bright  men  of  the 
profession,  after  seven  or  eight  months'  consideration,  prepared  papers 
on  the  subject,  and  all  agreed  that  we  should  go  back  to  the  funda- 
mental principle  laid  down  hj  L'Enfant.  At  this  meeting  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  call  the  attention  of  Congress  to  the  urgent  need  of 

iThe  History  of  the  United  States  Capitol:  By  Glenn  Brown.  Sen.  Doc.  No.  60, 
56th  Cong.,  1st  sess. 

'^  Selection  of  sites  for  Federal  buildings  in  >Vashington.  The  Architectural  Review, 
Boston,  Mass.,  vol.  Ill,  No.  IV,  1894. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  229 

a  commission  to  formulate  a  scheme  for  the  future  grouping  of  Gov- 
ernment buildings  and  the  treatment  of  the  parks,  so  as  to  be  in  har- 
mony one  with  the  other,  and  thus  attain  a  grand  artistic  result  as  a 
whole.  Senator  McMillan,  with  a  broad  foresight  of  the  necessity  of 
such  study  and  a  keen  appreciation  of  the  fact  that  onl}^  the  best  men 
should  be  selected  for  such  a  commission,  acted  upon  the  suggestion 
of  the  institute  and  appointed  D.  H.  Burnham  and  F.  L.  Olmsted, 
jr.,  giving  them  the  power  to  select  a  third  man,  who  it  was  well 
known  would  be  Mr.  Charles  F.  McKim.  In  a  short  time  after  its 
organization  the  committee  added  Mr.  Augustus  St.  Gaudens  to  their 
number,  so  as  to  obtain  his  advice  on  sculptural  matters.  This  was 
an  ideal  commission — a  commission  of  education,  experience,  refine- 
ment, executive  ability,  all  of  whom  had  shown  themselves  by  their 
executed  work  to  be  men  of  capacity  and  able  to  handle  the  broad  sub- 
ject which  was  submitted  to  them  for  stud}^  A  successful  and  artistic 
solution  was  never  doubtful  after  it  was  placed  in  their  hands. 

The  report  was  submitted  to  the  Senate  Committee  on  the  District 
of  Columbia  on  January  1.5,  1902,  and  unanimously  approved. 

The  drawings  and  models  which  formed  a  part  and  accompanied  the 
report  were  placed  and  hung  in  the  Corcoran  Gallery  of  Art,  and 
graphicall}"  presented  the  scheme,  while  numerous  bromide  enlarge- 
ments of  photographs  of  vistas,  parkwa3^s,  fountains,  and  other  park 
embellishments  are  on  exhibition  to  illustrate  work  of  a  similar  char- 
acter done  in  this  country  and  Europe.  The  exhibit  fills  two  large 
rooms  and  one  small  room.  The  water-colors  and  prints  are  carefully 
hung  so  as  to  prevent  conflict  in  scale,  desig'n,  or  color,  and  both  illus- 
trations and  models  are  well  lighted.  In  the  entrance  hall  is  placed  an 
enlarged  view  of  L'Enfant's  map  as  the  keynote  of  the  proposed  plan. 
The  first  drawing  to  attract  attention  is  the  general  plan. 

The  Capitol  building  is  the  crowning  feature  on  the  east  of  the  Mall. 
Around  it  are  grouped  the  buildings  for  legislative  purposes,  so  situ- 
ated as  not  to  destroy,  but  to  enhance,  the  original  vistas  and  inclose 
the  Capitol  with  monumental  and  pleasing  structures.  On  the  west 
of  the  Capitol  grounds  Union  square,  without  trees,  with  its  three 
dignified  statues  of  Grant,  Sherman,  and  Sheridan,  and  its  north  and 
south  ends  guarded  ]jy  two  Government  buildings,  forms  an  imposing 
end  for  the  Capitol  grounds  and  a  proper  beginning  for  the  Mall. 
From  Union  square  to  the  Monument  stretches  a  green  sward  300  feet 
wide,  about  li  miles  in  length,  flanked  on  either  side  hj  four  rows  of 
American  elms,  with  one  cross  vista  about  midway  between  the  Monu- 
ment and  the  Capitol.  The  formal  treatment  of  elms  broaden  into  a 
Greek  cross  of  1,200  feet  in  width  at  the  Monument,  giving  it  a  set- 
ting and  scale,  which  appears  to  me  could  not  be  obtained  by  any 
other  treatment. 

The  Monument  is  placed  on  a  horizontal  plane,  below  which  on  the 


230  PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.    ' 

west  is  a  broad  terrace  from  which  a  flight  of  steps  descends  40  feet 
to  a  formal  garden,  enriched  by  parterres,  hedges,  fountains,  pavil- 
lions,  terraces,  and  formal  planting  of  elms.  From  the  Monument  to 
the  river  the  open  vista  continues  of  the  same  width  as  the  tapis  vert 
between  the  Monument  and  the  Capitol,  but  instead  of  lawn  the  prin- 
cipal surface  is  water  with  a  canal  about  200  feet  wide  and  3,600  feet 
long,  and  in  this  section  a  cross  canal  over  1,000  feet  long  is  intro- 
duced. The  vista  from  the  Monument  is  ended  by  the  Lincoln  Memo- 
rial, which  is  placed  on  the  river  bank,  about  2^  miles  from  the  capitol. 
From  the  Lincoln  Memorial  the  Memorial  Bridge  crosses  the  Potomac 
at  an  angle  to  the  axis  of  the  Capitol,  having  as  its  vista  in  one  direc- 
tion the  stately  old  building  of  Arlington,  and  in  the  other  direction 
the  Lincoln  Memorial. 

The  original  plan  of  L'Enfant  located  an  equestrian  monument  to 
Washington  on  the  intersection  of  the  north  and  south  axis  of  the 
White  House  and  the  east  and  west  axis  of  the  Capitol.  The  Wash- 
ington Monument  as  built  was  about  75  feet  south  of  the  axis  of  the 
Capitol  and  500  feet  east  of  the  axis  of  the  White  House. 

The  commission  has  boldly  fixed  the  principal  axis  of  the  contem- 
plated improvement  on  the  axis  of  the  Monument  and  the  Capitol,  but 
the  difl'erence  was  too  great  to  deflect  the  treatment  so  as  to  make  a 
false  axis  with  the  White  House.  The  solution  adopted  by  the  park 
commission  in  overcoming  this  error  has  produced  happy  results.  The 
major  cross  axis  to  the  Mall  begins  with  a  group  of  buildings  around 
Lafayette  Square  in  proximity  to  the  President's  House,  for  the  Exec- 
utive Departments,  with  the  Executive  Mansion  as  the  central  feature. 
On  the  east  and  west  of  what  is  known  as  the  "White  Lot,"  the 
grounds  south  of  the  President's  House  are  planted  with  -i  rows  of 
linden  trees.  From  the  White  House  there  is  an  uninterrupted  view 
across  the  broad  circle  through  the  low  garden  of  the  Monument  to 
the  Temple  of  the  Makers  of  the  Constitution,  and  down  the  broad 
Potomac  between  the  hills  of  Maryland  and  Virginia.  It  is  proposed 
to  erect  buildings  for  the  various  scientific  departments  of  the  Gov- 
ernment, for  exhibition  and  museums  purposes,  on  the  north  and  south 
of  the  Mall.  North  on  B  street  it  is  proposed  to  purchase  the  prop- 
ertj^  between  Penns3dvania  avenue  and  B  street  and  here  locate  the 
various  municipal  buildings  for  the  District  government,  the  armory 
and  drill  hall  which  is  to  be  used  for  Presidential  inauguration  balls,  the 
market,  etc.  The  space  between  New  York  avenue  and  B  street,  it 
is  suggested,  together  with  the  space  between  Mar3dand  avenue  and  B 
street  south,  should  be  taken  and  made  a  part  of  the  park  system. 

By  the  treatment  adopted  the  original  vistas  are  maintained  and 
new  vistas  established  by  the  Memorial  to  the  Constitution  Makers,  the 
Lincoln  Memorial,  and  the  Arlington  House. 

The  area  between  the  Capitol  and  the  Monument  has  its  formal 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OE    COLUMBIA.  231 

planting  of  elms  and  formal  grouping  of  buildings.  The  area  between 
the  Monument  and  the  river  is  treated  as  a  dense  forest,  with  its  broad 
opening  between  the  Monument  and  the  Lincoln  Memorial  and  smaller 
walks  radiating  from  various  points  of  interest,  and  the  area  from  the 
White  House  to  the  river  with  broad  lawns  and  open  vistas. 

The  bird's-e3"e  view  illustrates  the  general  scheme  as  described  in 
connection  with  the  plan.  The  detailed  views  naturall}'  divide  them- 
selves into  five  groups — the  Capitol,  the  Monument,  the  White  House, 
the  Lincoln  Memorial,  and  the  Memorial  to  the  Constitution  Makers. 

The  Capitol  division  shows  the  streets  facing  the  present  grounds  on 
three  sides  occupied  by  classical  Government  buildings,  and  the  west 
front  brought  out  to  a  square  as  indicated  in  Thornton's  plat  and  open 
to  Union  Square  and  the  Mall.  The  terrace  fronting  Union  Square 
gives  an  additional  base  to  the  Capitol  and  will  add  materially  to  its 
imposing  effect.  The  terrace  is  flanked  b}^  marble  reproductions  of  the 
Bulfinch  gatehouses,  which  were  removed  to  make  way  for  the  improve- 
ment of  the  grounds  in  1876,  and  the  gateposts  which  were  removed 
at  the  same  time,  although  discarded,  they  are  far  more  in  harmony 
with  the  structure  than  the  architectural  embellishments  which  took 
their  place,  and  it  should  please  us  to  see  reproductions  replaced. 
From  the  center  of  the  higher  terrace  of  the  Capitol  a  fountain  is 
brought  by  a  series  of  cascades  to  a  basin  of  no  mean  dimensions. 
Around  this  basin  the  steps  wind,  and  the  terrace  and  basin  are  richly 
treated  with  balustrades  and  fountains.  The  general  effect  of  the  ter- 
race cascade  and  three  dignified  statues  of  Generals  Grant,  Sherman, 
and  Sheridan  are  shown  in  Union  Square  in  the  perspectiv^e  view  look- 
ing from  the  west  side  of  the  square. 

From  the  roof  of  the  Capitol  a  view  is  shown  of  Union  Square  and 
the  east  end  of  the  Mall,  with  its  grouping  of  classical  buildings. 

The  Monximent  division. — The  tapis  vert  which  extends  from  Union 
Square  ends  with  the  Monimient,  where  statel}"  lines  of  elms  broaden 
into  the  cross  which  surrounds  the  Monument.  The  Monument,  as  it 
stands  to-day  on  a  small  hillock,  suggests  a  shaft  sprouting  from  the 
ground.  It  needs  a  horizontal  plaza  or  line  at  its  base.  This  base  is 
given  by  a  treatment  of  marble  terraces  on  which  are  formally  planted 
American  elms.  On  the  east  the  plaza  is  but  little  above  the  surface  of 
the  ground,  and  on  the  west  a  broad  flight  of  steps  leads  to  the  formal 
garden  10  feet  below.  The  view  from  the  Mall  shows  the  effective 
results  of  the  white  horizontal  line  of  the  marble  terrace.  The  sunken 
garden  is  surmounted  by  marble  terraces  on  which  are  planted  a  dense 
growth  of  elms. 

In  a  small  room  separated  from  the  other  portions  of  the  exhibition 
is  placed  a  model  of  the  Monument,  with  its  terraces,  garden,  and 
formal  planting  of  trees.  This  model  presents  a  clear  idea  to  the  mind 
of  the  garden — cool  basins  of  water,  fountains,  cascades,  and  the  shaded 


232  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

groves — which  will  give  scale  to  the  Monument  and  comfort  and  pleas- 
ure to  the  populace,  while  it  allows  them  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  the 
gardens,  fountains,  the  dignified  shaft,  and  many  beautiful  vistas  and 
distant  views,  of  water,  hill,  forest,  art  objects  and  their  various  com- 
binations, as  well  as  affording  places  for  rest  during  leisure  hours  in 
the  hot  summer  weather  of  our  climate.  The  Monument  will  be 
approximately  600  feet  high  from  the  garden  level.  In  the  midst  of 
trees,  with  charming  effect,  are  placed  resting  pavilions,  and  in  the 
garden  below  small  classical  pavilions,  and  on  the  plaza  and  in  the 
basin  below  are  many  fountains.  The  various  charming  vistas  which 
may  be  obtained  from  the  Monument  or  its  garden  are  illustrated  by 
several  views,  one  of  the  White  House  from  a  point  near  the  white 
marble  terrace;  the  garden,  with  the  White  House  in  the  distance,  and 
a  general  view  of  the  Mall,  with  formal  elms  and  classical  buildings, 
with  the  Monument  garden  in  the  foreground. 

T1\e  Lincoln  memorial. — Although  the  Capitol  and  Monument  with 
their  surroundings  are  great  objects  of  beauty  which  are  emphasized 
and  enhanced  by  the  proposed  park  treatment,  they  are  hardly  more 
imposing,  important,  or  pleasing  than  the  temple  portico,  which  forms 
the  west  vista  over  the  basin  of  the  canal  from  the  Monument.  The 
effect  of  the  Lincoln  memorial  is  charming  in  refinement  and  simplicity 
where  it  overlooks  the  basin  of  the  canal  on  the  east,  with  fountains 
and  terraces  in  the  foreground.  It  is  still  more  interesting  and  pleas- 
ing where  it  overlooks  the  river  and  forms  a  center  from  which  the 
river-side  drive  to  the  parks  and  the  memorial  bridge  radiate.  From 
the  Monument  the  memorial  stands  serene  and  restful  at  the  end  of 
the  vista,  with  the  broad  canal  in  the  foreground  flanked  by  a  dense 
growth  of  trees,  with  the  Potomac  River  and  the  Virginia  hills  as  a  fit- 
ting background.  The  dense  shaded  forest  and  radiating  walks  and 
drives  from  the  circle  around  the  Lincoln  memorial  indicate  some  of 
its  attractions. 

Memorial  to  the  Constitution  makers. — On  the  axis  of  the  White 
House  and  directly  south  is  located  the  memorial  to  the  Constitution 
makers.  On  the  north  this  memorial  faces  the  Washington  common, 
where  games  and  athletic  sports  are  to  be  held,  and  on  the  south  it 
faces  the  large  basin  which  ma}-  be  used  for  aquatic  sports  in  summer 
and  skating  in  winter.  The  charming  view  from  the  White  House 
across  the  great  circle  over  the  sunken  garden  to  the  memorial  of  the 
Constitution  makers  and  the  broad  Potomac  beyond  is  well  depicted  in 
the  vista  from  the  White  House. 

The  models. — Installed  in  the  hemicycle  are  two  models  made  to  a 
scale  of  1  foot  equal  to  1,000  feet,  showing  the  Mall  and  the  adjacent 
parks  of  the  city  as  it  is  at  present,  and  another  showing  the  city  as 
the  park  commission  suggest  or  advise  that  it  should  eventuall}^  be. 
The  first  model  brings  to  our  attention  how  completely  a  good  plan 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  233 

can  be  ruined  by  the  want  of  proper  sympathj^  and  lack  of  knowledge 
of  no  doubt  well-meaning  and  intelligent  people.  Each  individual 
park  and  each  individual  building  is  located  and  laid  out  as  if  it  was 
the  only  object  to  be  considered,  both  buildings  and  parks  are  belit- 
tled, dignity  and  interest  lost.  This  is  to  be  wondered  at  when  we 
remember  the  plan  of  L'Enfant  was  continuously^  in  possession  of  the 
park  makers  and  builders.  The  view  from  the  Monument  to  the 
Capitol  is  over  a  tangle  of  trees  and  past  a  jumble  of  buildings 
with  no  relation  to  each  other,  each  marring  the  effect  of  the  other. 
The  trees  in  themselves  are,  of  course,  beautiful,  but  so  planted  that 
they  can  not  be  enjoyed.  Looking  from  the  Capitol,  in  the  fore- 
ground is  the  unsightly  Botanic  Garden,  and  then  the  Penns34vania 
Railroad,  and  again  the  tangle  of  trees,  with  no  general  system  of 
design.  This  model  also  depicts  very  graphically  the  haphazard 
method  of  selected  sites  for  Government  buildings,  without  any  effort 
at  unity  or  harmony  of  grouping,  and  the  ruthless  destruction  of 
vistas,  which  was  the  fundamental,  unique,  and  distinctive  feature 
of  the  original  plan.  It  is  impossible  to  understand  the  ignoring  of  the 
simple  and  dignified  grouping  suggested  on  theL'Enfantplan  or  of  the 
destruction  of  the  vistas.  One  example,  which  ma}^  l)e  seen  in  the 
building  of  the  Library  of  Congress,  cutting  off  and  belittling  the 
Capitol,  and  another  the  War,  State,  and  Navy  building,  obtruding 
past  the  White  House.  The  destruction  of  park  effects  b}^  inhar- 
monious structures  with  their  rear  on  the  parks  is  well  illustrated  by 
the  Army  Medical  Museum. 

The  prominence  of  the  new  city  post-office  on  Pennsylvania  avenue 
is  l)rought  forcibly  to  the  attention  on  both  models  of  the  city,  and 
the  fact  is  noted  that  it  is  out  of  harmony  with  its  present  surround- 
ings and  hopelessly  incongruous  in  connection  with  those  of  the  future. 

The  model  of  the  Mall  showing  the  suggested  treatment  of  grouping 
of  future  buildings  is  a  great  object  lesson,  demonstrating  what  may  be 
accomplished  by  simplicity,  dignity,  and  a  similarity  of  treatment  in, 
and  a  simple  grouping  of  classic  structures,  emphasizing  the  points  of 
interest,  not  belittling  them  by  an  attempt  to  make  prominent  each 
individual  structure,  but  so  locating  and  designing  the  main  features, 
the  (vapitol,  the  Monument,  the  Lincoln  memorial,  the  Executive  Man- 
sion, and  the  memorial  to  the  Constitution  makers,  as  to  make  all  land- 
scape and  buildings  lead  up  to  these  structures  and  make  them  dominate 
the  sj^stem. 

The  park  commission  has  been  able,  fortunately,  with  the  broad- 
minded  officials  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  to  secure  the  promised 
removal  of  the  tracks  and  the  station  from  the  Mall,  where  it  has  been 
a  blot  upon  the  landscape  and  a  bar  to  any  systematic  or  harmonious 
design  of  the  Mall  as  an  approach  to  the  Capitol.  This  accomplish- 
ment would  justify  all  the  work  expended  by  the  commission  as  well 


234  PAKK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

as  many  times  the  expense  incurred  by  the  Government.  This  indi- 
cates a  very  hopeful  condition  when  a  great  corporation  shows  a  dis- 
position to  give  up  its  legal  rights  for  the  artistic  benefit  of  the 
country. 

Ma^)  of  Parks. — The  park  commission  have  on  exhibition  maps  show- 
ing the  park  areas  of  London,  Paris,  New  York,  and  Boston,  as  well 
as  the  present  and  contemplated  park  areas  of  Washington. 

This  exhibit  forcibly  illustrates  the  small  area  devoted  to  parks  in 
our  cities  when  compared  with  foreign  cities. 

A  very  important  feature  that  will  add  materially  to  the  beauty  of 
the  park  commission's  work  consists  of  the  suggestions  for  connec- 
tions between  various  park  areas  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  the 
acquirement  of  new  park  areas,  the  broad  methods  of  treating  the 
various  parks,  and  the  calling  attention  to  the  ground  which  should  be 
acquired  to  protect  and  preserve  the  best  landscape  effects. 

The  new  areas  which  are  recommended  for  parks  consist  in  a  water 
park  east  of  Washington  made  by  damming  the  eastern  branch  and 
leclaiming  portions  of  the  marshes  which  now  exist  on  this  river, 
reclaiming  the  marshes  in  the  Anacostia  River  south  of  the  city,  park- 
ing the  Palisades  of  the  Potomac  from  Georgetown  to  the  District  line, 
parking  both  sides  of  liock  Creek  from  Twenty-fifth  street  to  the  Zo- 
ological Park. 

The  water  park  will  give  broad  water  effects  at  the  end  of  vistas  for 
several  of  the  principal  streets,  as  well  as  making  a  link  in  the  park 
system  of  the  city. 

The  Palisades  of  the  Potomac,  l)eing  a  high  1)1  uff  on  the  north  side 
of  the  river,  when  treated  artistically  with  walks  and  drives,  will  give 
the  people  of  the  country  an  opportunit}''  whicin  they  do  not  now  have 
of  enjoying  the  many  beautiful  and  picturesque  views  of  the  Potomac, 
with  its  broad  surfaces  of  water  dotted  with  islands,  its  steep  and  pic- 
turesque banks,  its  many  rapids  and  small  falls,  together  with  the 
many  and  delightful  rivulets  which  rush  and  tumble  over  bowlders  and 
rocks  on  their  wa}^  to  the  Potomac. 

The  connections  between  the  various  parks  and  proposed  parks  was 
a  subject  of  vital  importance  to  the  system,  and  this  has  been  well  con- 
sidered. The  natural  connection  between  the  Mall  and  the  Rock  Creek 
parks  is  along  the  valley  of  Rock  Creek.  Diagonal  connections  are 
contemplated  through  natural  valleys  between  the  park  along  the 
Potomac  an-d  Rock  Creek,  and  many  of  these  valle3^s  give  rare  oppor- 
tunities for  beautiful  and  picturesque  connections. 

Between  Rock  Creek  and  the  Soldiers'  Home  connections  are 
arranged  along  Piney  Branch,  at  one  time  a  wonderfuU}^  pleasing  and 
effective  stream,  but  now  much  damaged  by  improvement,  as  well  as 
by  widening  Savannah  street  into  a  parkway. 

Connections  are  suggested  between  the  Anacostia  water  park,  over 
wooded  hills,  which  offer  charming  views  toward  the  city  and  Potomac. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  235 

The  connection  between  the  park  and  Arlington  will  be  over  the 
new  memorial  bridg-e,  which  will  give  direct  and  easy  access  to  the 
sunken  park  on  Analostan  Island. 

The_v  also  suggest  a  formal  treatment  of  wharves  and  a  connection 
b}^  an  elevated  boulevard  between  the  Mall  and  the  Arsenal  grounds, 
on  which  is  to  be  established  the  buildings  for  the  new  war  college. 

PhotograpJitc pr hits. — In  addition  to  the  drawings  and  models,  the 
exhibition  contains  about  two  hundred  photographic  reproductions 
arranged  above  the  drawings  in  each  division,  intended  to  illustrate  what 
has  been  done  in  various  parts  of  Europe  in  a  manner  similar  to  the 
treatment  suggested  b}^  the  park  commission.  The  larger  number  of 
these  views  were  taken  when  the  park  commission  were  in  Europe 
stud^ang  the  various  points  of  interest.  These  photographs  are  also 
intended  to  illustrate  in  a  more  graphic  way  the  many  beautiful  and 
pleasing  effects  that  ma}"  and  are  expected  to  be  attained  by  the  smaller 
embellishments  grouped  in  various  parts  of  the  Mall.  To  illustrate 
the  efl'ect  of  the  vista  down  the  canal  west  of  the  Monument,  we  have, 
among  others,  Long  water  at  Hampton  Court;  and  the  effect  of  the 
tapis  vert  between  the  Capitol  and  Monument  are  illustrated  b}"  views 
from  Versailles,  Fontainebleau,  and  Compeigne.  Numerous  photo 
graphs  are  shown,  the  most  noted  being  from  Versailles,  to  show  a 
practical  illustration  of  the  fountains  which  may  be  expected  in  the 
various  basins  and  squares  of  the  new  city.  There  are  several  photo- 
graphs of  classical  pavilions  that  would  be  in  harmony  with  the  other 
treatment  of  the  parks,  as  well  as  squares  and  the  grouping  of  buildings. 

Not  the  least  interesting  feature  of  this  photographic  exhibition  is 
the  collection  of  American  elm  trees,  giving  an  idea  of  the  tree  as  it 
appears  from  Washington  Citj"  to  Boston.  As  the  elm  has  been  selected 
by  the  park  commission  as  the  principal  natural  object  in  the  formal 
planting  proposed  on  the  Mall,  the  horizontal  line  of  which  will  give 
a  frame  and  scale  to  the  Monument  and  the  circular  progression  of 
which  leads  up  to  and  enhances  the  beauty  of  the  Capitol,  it  is  well  for 
them  to  show  what  Iteaut}"  and  perfection  it  has  attained  in  this  country 
and  in  the  city  of  Washington  by  illustrations  of  the  noble  avenue  on 
Lafaj^ette  square  and  H  street,  the  Sumner  elm  on  the  Capitol  grounds 
and  other  groups  around  the  Capitol.  These  photographs  call  the 
attention  of  many  to  this  tree  who  have  not  heretofore  realized  its 
dignity. 

The  park  commission  entered  zealously  upon  their  work  as  soon  as 
they  were  appointed,  and  prosecuted  the  work  with  enthusiasm.  The 
result  is  all  that  could  have  been  expected,  and  our  expectations  were 
high. 

Mr.  D.  H.  Burnham  in  a  recent  article  called  attention  to  the  coni- 
mercial  value  of  art — it  is  a  view  which  few  probably  have  taken  and 
well  worthy  of  consideration  by  legislators,  financiers,  and  capitalists. 
He   states   that  commercial   supremacy   is   constantly  changing  and 


286  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

evanescent    while    artistic   supremacy"   is   lasting   and    commercially 
valuable. 

Egypt,  Greece,  Rome,  and  Itah'  reap  their  principal  income  from 
their  artistic  productions,  and  the  interest  and  income  of  Paris  is 
largeh"  based  on  the  same  foundation.  Let  the  United  States  \a.j  a 
foundation  in  Washington  for  a  similar  art  center  that  will  be  more 
lasting  and  a  more  certain  product  than  any  branch  of  commerce  or 
manufacture. 

Several  bills  have  been  introduced  in  Congress,  and  have  been  favor- 
abl}"  reported  from  committees,  for  buildings  to  be  located  and  designed 
in  conformity  with  the  report  of  the  park  commission. 

The  War  College,  at  the  intersection  of  the  Anacostia  and  Potomac 
rivers,  has  been  authorized.  The  new  Union  Station,  on  Massachu- 
setts avenue  and  Delaware  avenue,  has  been  agreed  upon  by  the 
Pennsj'lvania  Railroad  Company,  the  District  Commissioners,  and  the 
Senate  conunittee,  and  will  most  probably  pass  at  this  session. 

The  Congressional  committee  are  favorable  to  the  new  Department 
of  Justice  and  State  to  be  built  on  the  west  of  Lafayette  square. 

The  preliminar}'  plans  for  the  Department  of  Agriculture  have  been 
authorized,  and  there  appears  to  be  no  doubt  that  this  building  will 
go  on. 

There  is  also  a  bill  before  Congress  for  the  memorial  bridge  across 
the  Potomac  located  as  suggested  by  the  park  commission. 

Washington  is  the  capital  city  of  the  United  States;  the  question  of 
its  improvement  should  not  be  a  question  of  local  pride  and  only  arouse 
the  enthusiasm  of  its  residents.  It  should  be  the  pride  of  the  united 
country  from  end  to  end  to  make  new  Washington  the  principal  artistic 
achievement  of  the  centur3\  the  pride  of  all  Americans,  and  the  pleasure 
and  wonder  of  all  foreigners. 

Glenn  Bkown. 


SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE   DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS  NO.  17. 


1.  THE  EMBELLISHMENT  OF  WASHINGTON 

2.  ART  AND  THE  TOILERS. 


June  14,  1902. — Printed  for  the  use  of  the  committee. 


1.  THE  KMBP^LT^ISIIMKNT  OF  WASHINGTON. 

Ky  Clarknce  E.  Messek. 
[A  paper  read  before  the  Literary  Society  of  Washington,  May  3, 1902.] 

In  considering  the  art  phases  of  this  subject,  I  must  necessarily 
encroach  upon  the  provinces  of  the  other  participants  in  the  discus- 
sion. The  sculptor  and  painter  are  to  be  coworkers  with  the  engineer, 
the  architect  and  builder,  and  the  landscape  gardener,  and  art,  used  in 
a  broad  sense,  must  be  an  essential  factor  in  everj^  effort  made  for  the 
embellishment  of  the  capital  city. 

I  can  not  separate  the  idea  of  beaut}^  from  the  idea  of  utility,  they 
must  go  hand  in  hand  and  be  interdependent  alwaj^s.  We  are  not  to 
think  of  art  as  a  sort  of  remote  luminary  casting  a  glamour  over 
realities,  but  as  a  something  that  interfuses  realities,  being  indeed 
inherent  in  them.  We  realize  this  more  as  time  goes  on,  and  the  arts 
crafts  attain  to  a  dignity  that  has  been  denied  them  through  a  false 
sense  of  caste. 

In  the  construction  of  a  judiciar}^  building,  for  instance,  we  shall 
find  the  artist  and-  arts-craftsman  in  constant  demand.  The  entire 
judiciary  department  will  have  been  subjected  to  their  will;  the  very 
chair  upon  which  the  judge  shall  sit;  the  ceiling  and  walls  of  the 
chamber  that  are  to  echo  the  eloquence  of  the  advocate;  the  floor  upon 
which  he  is  to  stand  will  have  been  carved  and  decorated  in  accordance 
with  aesthetic  requirements.  The  bare  white  wall  and  ink-stained  pine 
tables  of  the  primitive  courts  are  to  be  things  of  the  past. 

In  the  new  .appellate  court  in  Madison  Square,  New  York,  we  may 
observe  how  law  and  esthetics  ma}'  "dwell  in  communion  sweet." 
Pride  oozes  from  the  ver}-  pores  of  the  custodians  there,  and,  although 
I  have  not  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  judges  on  the  very  sesthetic 
bench,  I  am  sure  their  dignit}"  has  somewhat  of  its  asperity  softened 
by  the  luxurious  beauty  of  the  environment.     So  we  shall  find,  as 

237 


238  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

building  after  building  rises  on  the  prophetic  ground  plan  of  this 
memorable  Park  Commission,  that  use  and  beauty  will  be  indivisible, 
that  art  will  have  a  controlling  influence  in  this  evolution  of  the  new 
Washington. 

This  rests,  it  is  true,  on  the  assumption  that  the  new  Washington  is 
to  grow  on  the  lines  laid  out  now  b}^  this  Park  Commission.  I  accept 
this  assumption.  1  do  not  believe  the  impression  made  upon  the 
American  people  by  this  bold,  1  might  almost  say  authoritative, 
proposition  will  easily  die  out.  The  American  is  more  disposed  to 
economy  in  small  things  than  in  large.  The  very  audacity  of  this 
proposition  commends  it  to  him. 

This  is  a  big  nation — he  realizes  that — and  this  conviction  is  so  pro- 
foundly impressed  upon  him  as  to  make  this  practical  prophecy  of  the 
capital's  future  quite  consistent  with  his  faith  in  our  ultimate  general 
achievement.  Of  one  thing  we  may  be  sure.  There  must  be  a  gen- 
eral abandonment  of  present  aims  and  purposes,  with  an  enforced 
return  to  a  Jeli'ersonian  simplicity  or  a  bold  acceptance  of  the  increas 
ing  Bssthetic  demands  of  civilization.  On  the  lines  upon  which  we 
now  proceed,  art  waits  expectant,  insistent. 

In  1876  a  great  multitude  of  Americans  wandering  through  the  halls 
and  avenues  of  the  Philadelphia  Centennial  were  taking  in  impressions, 
new  and  vivid  and  enduring,  that  have  affected  the  national  life  and 
aims  from  that  day  to  this.  At  Chicago,  again,  at  the  Columbian 
Exposition,  these  impressions  were  revivitied,  strengthened,  and 
expanded,  and  there  is  no  turning  back  possible  now  that  the  American 
mind  has  perceived  that  something  that  had  been  missed  in  the  busy 
and  self-contained  striving  of  the  past.  "  Poor  Richard  "  had  preached 
the  gospel  of  use,  these  great  fairs  revealed  a  gospel  of  the  beautiful, 
and  now  use  and  beauty  can  not  be  divorced. 

We  shall  stumble,  no  doubt,  in  our  efforts  to  give  expression  to 
these  new  needs.  The  new  art  will  be  bad  art  now  and  then,  but  it  is 
not  conceivable  that  from  this  time  on  we  shall  be  inveigled  into  such 
breaches  of  good  taste  and  artistic  judgment  as  have  made  possible 
the  many  melancholy  ail  spectacles  that  embarrass  us  before  the 
enlightened  foreign  visitor  at  the  capital. 

It  may  be  that  my  personal  enthusiasm  for  this  Park  Commission 
scheme  is  in  excess  of  the  demands  it  makes  upon  my  critical  judg- 
ment. It  appeals  to  me  in  its  entirety;  my  imagination  easily  expands 
to  its  full  dimensions.  It  seems  reasonable,  quite  attainable,  and  even 
inevitable.  I  do  not  look  to  see  it  rise  at  a  touch  like  the  white  city 
of  Chicago,  to  pass  as  soon.  But  as  time  goes  on  one  after  another, 
as  the  need  arises — and  the  needs  are  increasing  with  marv^elous 
rapidity — the  public  buildings  will  be  placed  in  conformity,  I  shall 
trust,  with  the  lines  laid  out  in  these  Park  Commission  plans;  with 
such   modifications   as  mature  consideration  may  demand  here  and 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  239 

there,  but  with  a  general  acquiescence  in  a  plan  that  it?  certainly  one  of 
great  dignit}^  and  simplicit}^  and,  what  will  appeal  to  the  "Poor 
Richard"  sentiment,  of  distinct  utilit}^ 

I  may  as  well  put  m3'self  on  record  right  here,  lest  this  last  reference 
should  prove  misleading,  as  distincth'^  committed  to  the  fundamental 
idea  of  utility  in  all  projects  of  this  character.  I  have  already  inti- 
mated my  creed  of  the  indivisibility  of  use  and  beaut}',  but  1  shall 
insist  that  beautv  shall  not  hamper  use.  Now,  in  architecture  we 
must  accept  first  of  all  the  idea  of  use.  Structural  lines  must  conform 
to  the  character  of  uses,  and  art  must  not  interfere  in  this. 

Art  should  advance  on  the  lines  laid  out  by  utility,  heightening  their 
significance  and  adding  charm.  An}"  ornamentation  placed  on  a  build- 
ing as  being  beautiful  in  itself  without  being  related  to  the  special 
significance  of  the  architecture  is  an  impertinence.  A  false  window, 
for  instance,  made  to  occupy  an  unused  space  is  an  ofi'ense.  A  good 
architect  should  make  the  space  seem  reasonable  in  the  scheme  of  the 
building.  In  city  parks  lying  between  busy  sections  of  the  city  we 
shall  find  serpentine  walks  that  make  interesting  lines  on  the  landscape 
gardener's  maps  and  that  exasperate  the  citizen  who  is  in  a  hurr^^  to 
get  across.  I  do  not  think  he  should  be  put  to  the  inconvenience  of  a 
long  ramble  when  he  desires  and  needs  a  direct  path. 

But  if  the  park  is  a  place  of  recreation,  having  no  essential  relation 
to  busy  sti'eets,  its  paths  may  seek  nothing  and  lead  nowhere,  may 
double  on  themselves,  if  you  please,  and  arbitrarily  waste  time  or  use 
it  rather  for  idle  purposes.  But  however  idh"  and  aimlessly  they  may 
wander,  these  paths  must  still  be  subject  to  law.  If  the  path,  pursuing 
its  indifferent  and  aimless  course,  should  sucldenh"  turn  at  an  acute 
angle  and  at  an  angle  again  the  mind  of  the  pedestrian  would  revolt 
at  the  abrupt  and  unanticipated  change — there  is  a  natural  rythm  of 
movement  that  in  all  arts  we  shall  disregard  at  our  peril.  The  stream 
flows  in  sinuous  courses  to  the  sea;  the  ray  of  light  between  earth  and 
sun  is  a  straight  line. 

Stream  and  ray  obey  laws  that  the  human  mind  nmst  act  in  con- 
formitv'  with.  What  1  am  seeking  to  get  at  is  this:  A  singleness  of 
impulse  and  its  persistency  in  its  own  lines  is  a  law  of  nature  to  which 
the  mind  must  conform  to  be  sane  and  effective.  Now,  we  base  our 
ideas  of  ei)ic  dignity,  I  might  say,  on  sun  lines.  Our  lyric  thoughts 
follow  lines  less  direct,  like  stream  lines.  When  we  shall  ride  down 
the  unswerving  avenues  of  the  Mall  we  shall  feel  that  epic  dignity  in 
the  very  monotony  of  their  unchanging  progression.  Once  entered 
into  the  sinuous  and  idh^  wandering  bridle  paths  we  shall  have  adapted 
ourselves  to  a  new  rhythm  and  shall  follow  the  will  of  the  idle  ways 
with  a  ly  ic  abandoment. 

In  this  great  pleasure  ground  our  moods  shall  be  anticipated  and 
humored.     When  one  abandons  the  conservative  and  habitual  illustra- 


240  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

tion  he  must  elaborately  explain  his  thought  or  risk  being  misunder- 
stood. There  is  no  time  here  for  explanation,  and  1  may  seem  to  be 
fetching  from  far  finespun  fancies  to  sustain  my  contention  that  in 
the  laws  of  the  natural  world  we  must  find  the  warrant  for  sane  mental 
endeavor.  Just  at  this  time  in  France,  in  Germany,  and,  in  a  less 
degree  I  am  glad  to  say,  in  England  and  America,  there  is  a  dispo- 
sition not  only  to  disregard  conventions  in  art,  but  fundamental  law 
as  well. 

There  is  a  literary  anarchist  and  an  art  anarchist,  as  well  as  a  political 
one,  and  they  all  tend  toward  chaos.  One  thing  that  especially  appeals 
to  me  in  these  park  plans  is  their  sanity,  their  freedom  from  anarchical 
endeavors  to  be  unlike  all  preceding  things  of  their  kind.  We  never 
lose  in  the  recurrent  spring  a  sense  of  the  new  creation.  "The  morn- 
ing stars  sing  together  "  still.  It  is  not  that  the  earth  and  the  star?  grow 
old,  but  that  through  our  mental  or  physical  debaucheries,  our  resist- 
ances to  law,  our  divergences  from  nature's  fixed  lines,  we  become  too 
weary,  too  enerv^ated,  for  the  revival  of  sane  and  wholesome  impulses. 

I  welcomed,  then,  a  scheme  in  which  is  laid  out  in  sane  and  rea- 
sonable lines  a  course  of  artistic  procedure  that  will  tend  to  hedge  the 
wayward  and  decadent  impulses  that  may  arise  in  the  future  as  now. 
I  do  not  think  that  the  decadence  of  our  day  is  a  general  decadence — it 
is  individual;  and  by  the  laws  of  evolution  the  fittest  will  survive — 
the  weak  and  despairing  will  go  down  in  the  march  of  events. 

This  plan  for  the  new  Washington  does  not  lose  its  sense  of  reality  at 
the  border  line  of  our  vision.  We  may  anticipate  the  satisfaction  of 
that  citizen  who  shall  see  the  end  to  which  our  imagination  easily 
runs.  As  to  the  propriety  of  making  the  new  Washington  beautiful 
and  imposing  as  the  capital  of  a  great  nation,  infinite  in  its  aspirations, 
proud  of  its  past  achievements,  and  sure  of  its  ultimate  importance  in 
the  galaxy  of  nations,  there  would  seem  to  be  little  need  of  argument 
now. 

The  American  people  saw  in  the  "White  City"  of  the  Chicago  fair 
a  marvelous  dream  materialized,  if  only  in  staff  and  white  paint,  and 
became  conscious  to  a  degree  of  the  potentialities  of  the  race,  and  the 
magnitude  of  this  scheme  for  the  beautifying  of  the  capital  city,  as  I 
believe  I  have  already  intimated,  is  much  less  liable  now  to  shock  the 
sense  of  economy  of  the  average  citizen. 

Making  much  of  the  importance  of  a  singleness  or  consistency  of 
impulse  in  the  individual  building,  I  can  no  less  insist  upon  a  like 
consistency  and  singleness  of  purpose  in  a  great  park  scheme  like 
this. 

I  should  be  glad  to  see,  to-daj",  an  impulse  started  in  this  direction 
so  imperious,  so  convincing,  as  to  be  undiverted  for  years  to  come  by 
temporary  and  erratic  interferences. 


PARK    SYSTf:M    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  241 

I  do  not  believe,  as  architects  come  forward  to  direct  the  construc- 
tion of  the  individual  buildings  that  shall  arise  one  after  another 
to  meet  governmental  or  municipal  needs,  that  a  new  architecture 
must  be  evolved,  but  rather  a  better  architecture,  finer  in  its  har- 
monies of  proportion,  more  subtle  in  its  lines,  more  signiiicant  in 
its  ornamentation,  and  I  conceive  that  instead  of  being  hampered  by 
the  conditions  we  shall  have  imposed,  the  architect  of  the  future  will 
be  aided  by  his  sense  of  copartnership  in  a  broadly  and  nobly  con- 
ceived plan. 

Naturally,  in  a  scheme  for  the  embellishment  of  the  capital  city, 
the  work  of  the  sculptor  and  of  the  painter  will  be  an  important  fac- 
tor. The  interiors  of  the  public  buildings  will  give  wide  scope  for 
the  work  of  the  mural  painter,  and  in  every  department  portraiture, 
plastic  and  graphic,  will  seek  to  perpetuate  the  characteristics  of  gov- 
ernmental officials.  In  the  open  parks  sculpture  will  become  an  impor- 
tant part  of  the  decorative  scheme,  commemorating  not  only  the  char- 
acter and  achievements  of  our  militarj^  heroes  as  in  the  past,  but  giv- 
ing as  enduring  records  of  notable  achievements  in  the  less  spectacu- 
lar fields  of  science,  literature,  and  art. 

As  a  part  of  a  well-designed  and  harmonious  plan  of  embellishment, 
erratic  statuar}-^,  as  well  as  erratic  architecture,  would  be  so  evidently 
out  of  place  as  to  be  less  liable  than  now  to  receive  official  recognition. 
Then  I  conceive  that  the  sculptor  himself,  whose  work  is  to  be  judged 
not  only  by  its  intrinsic  merits,  but  b}'  its  adaptability  to  a  well-under- 
stood plan,  by  its  rhythmic  relations  to  massed  or  related  architecture, 
will  be  forced  to  more  strenuous  effort  than  he  would  be  if  his  statuary 
were  to  be  an  isolated  and  unrelated  creation,  subject  to  his  personal 
inclinations  alone. 

There  is  one  feature  of  these  plans  to  which  I  wish  to  call  attention. 
It  is  not  only  necessary  that  the  artificial  embellishment  of  the  parks, 
the  buildings,  the  statuar}^  the  fountains,  the  paved  plaza  should  con- 
form to  the  demands  of  an  harmonious  and  artistic  scheme,  but  nature 
herself,  brought  into  intimate  contact  with  cit}"  conditions,  must  be 
subject  to  particular  requirements.  Paris  not  onlj^  plants  her  trees  in 
formal  lines,  but  trims  them  into  a  formalit}'^  that  is  more  sympathetic 
with  the  hard  and  fast  lines  of  architecture  than  the  unhampered  forest 
tree  would  be. 

No  one  loves  more  than  I  the  untrammeled  forest  tree — the  beech, 
with  the  moss  on  its  boll,  its  leaves  twittering  at  its  crest;  the  pine, 
with  its  somber  and  resonant  boughs;  and  the  oak,  austere,  inexorable, 
lifting  its  gnarled  and  strenuous  arms  above  bowldered  slopes.  But 
on  the  city  street  they  should  take  on  city  ways,  submit  to  city  con- 
ventions, and  accept  a  certain  degree  of  artificiality  to  better  conform 
to  their  formal  surroundings. 
p  1—03 16 


242  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF*  COLUMBIA. 

These  plans  are  referred  to  as  of  "bewildering  magnificence."  I  do 
not  find  them  in  any  sense  confusing.  The  lucid  and  expressive  draw- 
ings of  the  Park  Commission  present  the  scheme  to  my  imagination 
with  a  sense  of  reality  that  would  hardly  be  greater  if  I  could  walk 
down  the  completed  avenues  of  the  new  Washington.  The  white  walls 
shimmer  in  the  spring  sunshine.  Over  the  gleaming  waterwaj^^s, 
beyond  the  fountains'  uplifted  mist,  I  still  see  the  white  shaft  of  the 
Washington  Monument;  bej^ond  on  the  near  shore  of  the  Potomac 
the  simple  and  dignified  memorial  of  the  martyred  President,  and 
then,  in  a  receding  perspective  of  arches,  a  great  bridge  stretching  to 
the  Virginia  hills. 

How  much  of  this  took  shape  in  the  brain  of  that  bafiled  and  disap- 
pointed engineer,  L'Enfant? 

It  seems  that  the  general  features  of  the  plan  are  largely  his,  and  it 
will  be  eminently  fit  that  at  some  point  of  vantage  in  these  noble 
grounds  there  should  stand  an  enduring  memorial  to  this  man,  to 
whose  prophetic  wisdom  we  owe  so  much. 


2.  ART  AND  THE  TOURERS. 

By  Rev.  Frank  Sewall. 

[A  paper  read  before  the  convention  of  the  American  Social  Science  Association  at  Washington, 

April  25,  1902.] 

[Extract  from  the  Boston  Evening  Transcript.] 

Rev.  Frank  Sewall,  in  his  paper  on  "Art  and  the  Toilers,"  in  the 
educational  session,  made  a  plea  for  the  return  to  the  humblest  labor- 
ing classes,  in  the  form  of  parks,  fountains,  beautiful  monuments, 
buildings,  and  music,  of  the  debt  which  wealth  and  its  art  owe  to  them 
as  the  producers  of  the  crude  material  for  all  living  and  for  all  social 
progress.  The  paper  was  in  the  form  of  a  colloquy,  and  answers  at 
length  some  of  the  objections  on  the  score  of  paternalism,  impracti- 
cabilit}^,  etc.,  of  the  proposed  modes  of  meeting  the  obligation  of  art 
to  the  toilers.  The  question,  "  Must  not  these  provisions  of  the  beau- 
tiful for  the  laboring  classes  be  confined  to  the  larger  cities,  where 
there  is  sufiicient  wealth  and  an  educated  public?"  was  answered: 

"Not  necessarily.  The  need  seems  more  deplorable  in  our  isolated 
mountain  clearings  and  prairie  farms,  and  among  the  mining  and 
foundry  towns,  than  in  the  cities  where  the  dense  crowd  of  humanity 
presents  a  constant  change  of  life  and  color  that  in  itself  is  picturesque. 
But  in  the  solitude  and  monoton}^  of  the  isolated  village,  the  cross- 
roads settlements,  or  the  miner's  camp,  without  beautiful  objects  to 
lift  the  mind  in  admiration,  the  soul  is  left  to  consume  itself  in 
morbid  introspection  and  restless,  indefinable  longings.     These  people 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  243 

and  others  even  farther  remote  from  cities  should  be  reached  l)}^  some 
method  for  feeding  the  hunger  of  their  natures  for  the  beautiful.  I 
do  not  know  of  anything  holier  for  the  church  to  do  than  to  infuse 
through  art  an  element  of  beauty  into  the  lives  of  these  lonely  com- 
munities which  its  religious  mission  compels  it  to  seek  out.  Instead 
of  leaving  this  element  of  beauty,  in  their  chapels,  their  hymn 
singing,  their  houses  and  gardens  and  furniture,  to  grow  on  the  crude 
and  mean  sustenance  otfered  by  the  uneducated  masses  misled,  too 
often,  by  vulgar  taste  and  the  overbearing  influence  of  some  man  or 
woman  with  money  but  without  culture,  why  should  not  the  church 
herself  begin  with  lessons  of  beauty  and  make  the  ministry  of  art  a 
part  of  her  sacred  mission  ? 

"But  many,  you  know,  object  to  this  paternalism  of  the  higher 
classes,  whether  church  or  state,  on  the  principle  that  it  is  better  that 
people  should  develop  these  things  by  themselves,  and  so  in  freedom, 
although  it  takes  longer. 

"Yes;  I  know,  and  I  think  I  appreciate  as  fully  as  any  the  impor- 
tance of  the  principle  of  self -advancement;  but  I  do  not  see  that  in 
realit}^  this  lessens  the  obligations  of  art  and  wealth.  It  rather  increases 
them.  What  I  contend  is  not  that  the  endeavor  of  the  lower  classes 
to  rise  is  not  a  legitimate  endeavor,  or  that  this  endeavor  will  ever 
cease,  but  that,  nevertheless,  there  will  always  be  a  class  lowest  down 
in  the  ranks  of  toil  who,  because  they  are  at  the  sources  of  all  produc- 
tion and  of  all  wealth,  are  entitled  to  the  highest  outcome  of  that 
wealth,  and  this,  too,  without  waiting  until  they  themselves  are  lifted 
into  the  ranks  of  the  cultured  ones.  God  gives  the  beaut}^  of  the  sun- 
set and  the  flowers  to  the  humblest  laborer  without  waiting-  for  him 
to  reach  the  rank  of  beauty  makers. 

"The question  is,  what,  besides  religion — the  greatest  human  need — 
is  the  most  genuine  joy,  above  the  plane  of  mere  animal  gratification, 
that  we  can  impart  to  the  toiling  masses  directly?  I  hold  that  this  is 
the  joy  of  the  beautiful — the  beautiful  in  form,  sound,  color,  in  char- 
acter. And  I  insist  that  the  so-called  privileged  classes  are  not  mak- 
ing an  even  balance  of  accounts  with  those  lower  down  by  putting 
them  off  with  mere  high  wages  and  other  provisions  for  ph3^sical  com- 
fort, or  even  with  the  means  of  higher  culture,  such  as  libraries,  read- 
ing rooms,  lectures,  and  the  like,  which  to  many  are  only  a  kind  of 
mild  medicine  at  the  best,  so  long  as  that  rarest  quintessence  of  human 
luxury,  the  enjoyment  of  the  beautiful  in  art,  is  not  showered  lavishly 
upon  the  great  masses  of  the  toilers;  so  that,  not  merely  at  some 
future  day  when  toil  shall  cease,  but  now,  through  the  ver}^  sweat  of 
their  brows,  their  eyes  shall  look  out  with  a  smile  and  not  a  frown 
upon  the  world.  It  is  well  enough  to  talk  of  the  paternalism  that 
hinders  self-advancement:  but  after  all,  what  is  a  higher  type  of 
true  advancement  than  a  desire  to  minister  to  those  lower  down  ?  and 


244  PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

if  this  is  hindered  by  some  spurious  conception  of  democracy,  then  all 
true  advancement  of  the  race  is  hindered.  The  well  to  do,  who  are 
feasting  up  there  on  the  rich  viands  to  which  they  have  climbed 
through  years  of  competitive  struggle,  may  think  they  are  doing  very 
liberally  to  cry  to  those  far  down  on  the  plains,  'Come  up  and  help 
yourselves! '  But  there  are  many  who  can  not  come  up;  who  are  down 
there  and  must  forever  remain  down  there,  stead3dng  the  ladder  for 
others  to  climb  by;  and  shall  no  morsel  be  thrown  to  them? 

""But  is  not  a  certain  degree  of  culture  necessar}^  even  for  the 
enjojmient  of  beauty  when  this  is  set  before  one,  and  must  not,  there- 
fore, the  school,  the  church,  the  library,  and  the  museum  take  prece- 
dence of  all  other  means  of  affording  to  the  masses  the  enjo3'ment 
of  art? 

"This  would  be  true  if  our  object  were  to  educate  a  world  where  all 
are  to  be  artists  and  where  there  are  to  be  no  toilers.  But  beauty 
is  a  thing  that  grows  b}^  gazing  on  it.  There  are  countries  on  the 
continent  of  Europe  where  the  Government  fosters  art,  both  in  archi- 
tecture, in  public  monuments,  in  parks  and  gardens,  in  brilliant  but 
tasteful  outdoor  decorations  on  public  holidays,  in  free  concerts  and 
museums,  and  a  subsidized  drama;  the  laboring  classes  in  these 
countries  are  not  distinguished  above  others  by  their  literar}'  attain- 
ments or  by  their  faniiliarit}^  with  the  technicalities  of  art,  although 
unquestionably  they  have  a  finer  sense  of  the  beautiful.  Their  path 
to  the  appreciation  of  beaut}"  has  not  been  through  libraries  and  art 
schools,  but  b}"  gazing  ever}'  day  upon  beautiful  things.  These  are  the 
people,  as  a  rule,  who  love  their  country  and  are  not  lacking  in  loyalty 
to  the  crown  and  its  weal,  however  great  the  sacrifice  this  mav  require 
of  them. 

"Yes;  1  suppose  that  love  of  country  is  at  bottom  the  love  of  what 
the  country  gives,  and  there  must  be  deg'rees  in  the  quality  of  patriot- 
ism as  in  other  things.  The  interest  one  feels  in  a  country  as  a  place 
to  make  money  in  must  always  be  inferior  to  that  which  is  inspired  by 
the  feeling  that  one's  country  has  ministered  to  the  highest  human 
realization  of  life.  Neither  does  intellectual  culture  always  betoken 
a  nation  of  good  fighters.  It  has  quite  as  often  in  the  past  been  a 
sign  of  a  weakened  virility  and  devotion  on  the  part  of  the  people. 

"And  this  is  the  final  and  crowning  obligation  of  art  to  the  masses. 
It  alone,  if  we  except  religion,  enables  the  people  to  feel  in  their 
devotion  to  their  native  land  and  government  something  akin  to  their 
devotion  to  Deity.  The  sordid  principle  of  service  for  service  is  lost 
when  the  soul  is  touched  with  the  feeling  of  a  bounty  which  gives 
without  stint  for  the  pleasure  of  giving  and  for  the  delights  its  gifts 
create.  This,  I  take  it,  is  where  art  partakes  of  the  Infinite;  in  its 
purely  unselfish  ministry  of  the  beautiful  it  is  as  universal  and 
impartial  as  the  sunlight  itself.     It  bears  its  own  message  to  the  soul 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  245 

of  the  poor  and  distressed,  whether  by  beauty  of  form  in  sculpture 
and  architecture,  or  in  beauty  of  sound  in  music,  or  of  sentiment  and 
action  in  the  drama.  It  is  therefore  by  this  gift  of  beaut}^  to  the  life 
of  the  toiling  masses  that  governments  may  fulfill  their  high  function 
of  standing  in  the  place  of  God,  and  it  is  by  this  tribute  of  wealth 
and  culture,  through  the  divine  mj^steries  of  art,  to  the  happiness  of' 
the  masses  who  toil  that  the  balance  of  human  good  is  kept  even 
when  measured  by  the  happiness  experienced  both  by  the  giver  and 
those  benefited  by  the  gift." 


SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS,  SECOND  SERIES,  NO.  1. 


THE  UTILIZATION  OF  PUBLIC  RESERVATIONS. 

'J  Address  of  President  Eliot,  cf  Harvard  University,  before  the  American  Park  and  Out- 

\  door  Art  Association,  at  Boston,  Mass. ,  August  5,  1902. 


August  23,  1902. — Printed  for  the  use  of  the  committee. 


During  the  last  ten  yefirs  great  additions  have  been  made  to  the 
number  of  parks,  open  squares,  and  public  gardens  in  the  Northern 
and  Western  cities  of  the  United  States,  and  many  millions  of  dollars 
have  been  spent  in  procuring  these  public  reservations.  It  is  notice- 
able, however,  that  in  most  American  communities  the  public  mani- 
fests only  a  moderate  capacity  to  enjoy  these  beautiful  provisions. 
The  parks  and  squares  are  breathing  places;  they  protect  water  sup- 
plies; they  enhance  the  value  of  the  adjacent  private  properties;  and 
some  of  them  are  useful  pla3^grounds;  but  they  are  not  lived  in  and 
delighted  in  by  any  large  proportion  of  the  population.  For  example, 
within  ten  years  more  than  9,000  acres  of  public  reservations,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  Boston  and  Cambridge  parks,  commons,  and  squares,  have 
been  acquired  for  the  community  which  occupies  the  semicircle  within 
11  miles  of  Boston  statehouse.  Yet  the  enjoyment  of  these  reser- 
vations, with  the  exception  of  the  public  sea  beaches,  is  surprisingly 
limited;  and  even  to  these  beautiful  beaches  the  people  resort  in 
great  numbers  during  only  three  months  of  the  year. 

On  Sunday  afternoons  and  holida3"s  there  is  a  good  deal  of  driving 
through  the  Boston  and  metropolitan  parks  and  parkways;  but  it  is 
noticeable  that  most  of  these  pleasure  seekers  seldom  get  out  of  their 
vehicles.  Now  it  is  impossible  to  enjoy  thoroughly  a  garden,  a  beach, 
or  a  wood  from  the  seats  of  a  vehicle,  or  the  .saddle  of  a  bicycle. 
Walking,  lingering,  rambling,  and  standing  or  sitting  still  are  indis- 
pensable to  full  enjoyment.  From  December  to  April  the  metropoli- 
tan forest  reservations  are  practically  abandoned  by  the  public  to  the 
rabbits,  squirrels,  foxes,  and  winter   birds,  although  they  offer   to 

247 


248  PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

informed  eyes  innumerable  scenes  of  exquisite  beauty.  In  the  popu- 
lation of  Boston  the  German  and  French  elements  are  not  numerous, 
so  that  the  good  example  of  these  fresh  air  loving  people  has  been 
lacking,  while  the  climate  and  certain  Puritan  inheritances  have  been 
somewhat  adverse  to  open-air  joys. 

EUROPEAN   OUTDOOR  LIFE. 

Those  of  us  who  have  visited  the  cities  and  large  towns  of  Europe, 
or  who  have  in  any  way  become  familiar  with  the  outdoor  habits  of 
European  populations,  recognize  the  fact  that  in  comparison  with  the 
people  of  Europe  the  native  people  of  the  United  States  have  little 
capacity  to  enjoy  out-of-door  beauty,  little  taste  for  the  freedom  and 
quiet  of  the  countr}^  and  no  disposition  to  live  in  the  streets  of  the 
cities.  In  the  southern  parts  of  Europe  and  the  northern  parts  of 
Africa  the  common  people  in  the  large  towns  and  cities  pass  their  lives 
out  of  doors  to  an  extent  very  surprising  to  an  American.  I  once 
spent  a  winter  in  the  town  of  Pau,  in  the  southern  part  of  France. 
The  mornings  and  evenings  were  often  cold,  but  the  middle  of  the  day 
was  much  like  the  fine  New  England  weather  in  October  and  November. 
The  moment  the  sun  shone  all  the  active  women  and  children  took  to  the 
streets;  and  even  the  invalids  and  the  decrepit  old  men  and  women  sat 
on  the  sunn}'  side  of  the  streets  with  their  backs  against  the  warmed 
walls  of  the  houses.  Even  in  winter  the  people  found  the  sunny 
streets  more  agreeable  than  the  interiors  of  their  houses.  In  Cairo 
and  the  Egyptian  villages  many  native  people  slept  out  of  doors  in 
January  and  February,  and  the  portion  of  the  day  which  any  family 
of  parents  and  children,  rich  or  poor,  spent  within  walls  was  small. 
In  the  Egj^ptian  villages  up  the  Nile  the  rude  bedsteads  come  out  of  the 
hovels  by  the  middle  of  Februar}-,  and  the  entire  population  sleeps  in 
the  open  air  three-fourths  of  the  year.     Of  course,  it  never  rains. 

In  most  Spanish  towns,  whether  in  Europe  or  in  the  former  colonies 
of  Spain,  a  broad  walk,  shaded  with  trees  and  bordered  by  strips  of 
watered  grass,  shrubs,  and  flowers,  and  rows  of  benches  or  chairs,  is  a 
common  municipal  provision.  These  alamedas  are  familiar  meeting 
places  for  a  large  proportion  of  the  population  on  certain  days  or 
evenings  of  the  week,  and  especially  on  Sundaj^s  and  festivals.  No 
sport  or  game  is  carried  on  there,  but  the  people  walk  slowly  to  and 
fro,  or  sit  on  the  seats  and  talk  to  each  other.  The  alameda  is  a  com- 
mon open-air  parlor  for  all  the  people  who  have  leisure  enough  to  use 
it.  In  some  cities  a  smooth,  watered  driveway  makes  part  of  this 
alameda,  and  at  certain  hours  this  driveway  is  thronged  with  open  car- 
riages moving  slowl}^  on  parallel  lines  in  opposite  directions.  This 
concourse  is  a  sort  of  dress  parade  for  men  and  women  and  for  horses 
and  carriages. 


PAEK   SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTEICT   OF    COLUMBIA.  249 

The  public  provision  made  for  babies  and  little  children  in  the  Paris 
public  squares  affords  the  very  pleasantest  sight  to  be  seen  in  that 
gay  capital.  For  Americans  one  of  the  most  curious  sights  of  Paris 
is  the  broad  sidewalks  of  the  boulevards  half  covered  in  front  of  the 
cafes  with  small  tables,  at  which  hundreds  of  men  sit  in  the  open  air 
to  eat,  drink,  smoke,  and  read  the  newspapers.  It  takes  persistent 
rain  or  unusually  cold  weather  to  clear  the  boulevard  sidewalks  of 
this  furniture,  even  in  the  raw  Paris  winter.  In  Germany,  during 
the  milder  half  of  the  j^ear,  the  people  insist  on  eating  and  drinking 
out  of  doors  to  an  extent  which  is  nowhere  equaled  in  this  country, 
except  in  the  German  quarters  of  some  of  our  Western  cities.  No 
restaurant  can  succeed  in  Hungary,  or  south  Germany,  or  Austria 
unless  it  has  a  place  to  seat  its  patrons  out  of  doors.  A  garden 
adjoins  the  restaurant;  or  an  interior  court  without  a  roof — the  Span- 
ish patio — is  filled  with  small  tables;  or,  if  nothing  else  can  be  had,  a 
portion  of  the  sidewalk  is  inclosed  with  vines  grown  in  pots  and  sup- 
ported on  trellises.  A  beer  garden  all  over  Europe  is  literally  a  gar- 
den with  trees,  shrubs,  and  flowers. 

GOOD   SIGNS   IN   AMERICA. 

The  out-of-door  habit  of  the  population  enables  the  omnibus  and 
tramway  companies  in  the  European  cities  to  carry  thousands  of  per- 
sons all  winter  on  the  tops  of  omnibuses  or  cars  at  the  usual  lower 
fare.  The  winter  is  there  less  severe  than  that  of  most  northern  cities 
on  this  continent;  but  it  is  primarily  the  out-of-door  habit  which 
makes  this  economical  method  possible  and  even  enjoyable.  Among 
our  people  the  most  encouraging  sign  of  increased  hardiness  in  this 
respect  is  the  larger  and  longer  use  made  of  open  cars  on  the  electric 
roads.  From  thi.s  point  of  view  it  is  interesting  to  see  35,000  men  and 
women  sitting  on  open  benches  of  a  raw  afternoon  in  late  November 
watching  a  game  of  football  for  two  hours  or  more.  Another  good 
sign  is  the  family  driving  in  open  vehicles  on  Sunday  afternoons. 
One  does  not  often  see  a  more  hopeful  and  wholesome  sight  than  the 
shifting-top  carr^^all,  with  one  horse,  carrving  father  and  mother  and 
four  or  five  children  through  the  metropolitan  parks  of  Boston  of  a 
Sunday  afternoon. 

REQUISITES   OF   PARK   LIFE. 

The  problem  I  now  ask  3"ou  to  consider  is  how  to  secure  a  better 
popular  utilization  of  public  squares,  gardens,  parkways,  and  parks  in 
the  United  States.  1  invite  3"ou  to  consider  how  the  wholesome,  jo}^- 
ous  use  of  public  reservations  can  be  promoted. 

One  indispensable  condition  for  the  adequate  use  of  public  reserva- 
tions is  security  against  violence  and  fear  of  violence,  and  even  against 


250  PAEK   SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

annoyances,  or  the  sight  of  rude  and  disorderlj'^  conduct.  All  public 
reservations,  whether  large  or  small,  need  to  be  well  policed,  so  that 
women  and  children  can  feel  perfectly  safe  in  them.  This  is,  of  course, 
an  expensive  matter;  but  neither  city  playgrounds  nor  country  parks 
will  be  adequately  used  by  the  persons  who  need  them  unless  they  are 
intelligently  and  adequately  policed.  A  public  beach,  grove,  or 
forest  will  soon  get  a  bad  reputation  if  it  is  not  vigilantly  watched. 
Every  city  square  or  garden  should  be  brightly  lighted — first,  because 
light  is  the  best  policeman  (as  Emerson  said),  just  as  publicity  is  the 
best  safeguard  against  financial  and  industrial  wrongs;  and,  secondly, 
because  every  such  open  space  should  be  treated  as  a  public  parlor  or 
popular  reception  room. 

Again,  it  is  useless  to  provide  a  public  forest  or  a  large  country 
park  5  or  10  miles  from  the  center  of  the  city,  unless  this  distance 
can  be  traversed  in  an  agreeable  manner  at  a  low  fare.  Hence  the 
value  of  parkways,  which  are  merely  well-built,  decorated  highways, 
reserved  for  pleasure  travel.  In  all  such  parkways  through  which 
large  reservations  are  approached  there  should  invariably  be  a  sepa- 
rate space  for  electric  cars,  and  this  space  should  be  neither  paved  nor 
asphalted,  but  turfed,  as  a  protection  against  dust  and  reverberated 
noise,  and  as  a  means  of  health  for  the  adjacent  rows  of  trees  and 
shrubs.  This  practice  has  been  already  partially  adojjted,  but  should 
become  universal.  The  problem  of  comfortable  transportation  for  a 
great  multitude  to  and  from  favorite  parks  or  beaches  within  the  few 
hours  most  agreeable  for  resort  to  such  places  is  still  to  be  solved. 
If  men,  women,  and  children  are  to  resort  by  the  thousand  to  such 
reservations,  they  must  be  able  to  count  on  getting  away  comfortably^, 
as  well  as  on  going  comfortably  to  the  park  or  beach.  The  coming 
away  from  such  a  resort  is  generall}^  more  simultaneous  than  the 
going  to  it.  An5^one  who  has  seen  the  rush  for  cars  at  Revere  Beach 
or  City  Point  when  the  homeward  movement  begins — to  take  illus- 
trations from  this  vicinit}^ — knows  that  our  transportation  companies 
have  much  to  learn  concerning  the  means  of  moving  from  forty  to 
seventy  thousand  people  who  all  wish  to  go  in  one  direction  within 
four  or  five  hours  and  then  in  the  opposite  direction  within  a  shorter 
period. 

It  seems  to  me  that  a  promising  experiment  would  be  cars  without 
seats,  strong  enough  to  carr}"  as  many  people  as  can  stand  on  the  car 
floor,  a  lower  fare  being  charged  and  a  supplement  paid  for  a  seat 
when  it  is  possible  to  obtain  transfer  to  a  car  with  seats.  For  example, 
in  this  manner  the  crowds  from  such  an  isolated  reservation  as  Revere 
Beach  could  be  brought  rapid Ij^  to  points  not  far  removed,  where* 
transfers  could  be  efl'ected  to  many  diverging  lines.  It  is  worth  con- 
sidering, too,  whether  the  foreign  system  of  waiting  rooms  with  seats 
for  waiting  passengers  might  not  be  introduced,  the  passengers  to 


PAKK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  251 

receive  numbers  on  entrance  and  to  be  called  to  the  cars  by  their 
assigned  numbers  in  their  turn.  Many  women  and  children  would  be 
willing-  to  wait  for  assured  seats  rather  than  encounter  the  risks  of 
the  rush  for  seats,  in  which  the  strongest  and  most  alert  have  every 
advantage. 

VALUE   OF  EESTAUEANTS. 

One  of  the  great  privileges  in  European  public  gardens,  or  other 
reservations,  is  broad,  open  spaces  in  which — under  suitable  shelter — 
to  eat  and  drink  in  the  open  air.  Outside  of  Prague,  for  example,  but 
within  eas}^  reach  of  the  city,  are  some  beautiful  meadows,  the  edges 
of  which  are  adorned  with  fine  woods.  Thousands  of  persons  resort 
to  these  meadows  every  fine  Sunday  to  eat  and  drink  in  the  open  air. 
A  whole  familj^  will  go  together — father,  mother,  and  children,  with 
family  friends;  they  get  a  table  near  one  of  the  restaurants,  and  spend 
five  or  six  hours  in  this  beautiful  spot,  enjoying  the  open  air,  the 
sight  of  the  meadows  and  the  sk}",  and  light  music  from  a  good  band. 
The  whole  process  is  democratic  and  simple — never  rowd}^ ;  but  people 
who  know  each  other  can  meet  there  in  a  pleasant  way,  and  agreeable 
hospitalities  can  be  exchanged.  Beer  drinking  and  smoking  undoubt- 
edly promote  the  open-air  habit,  as  on  the  Prague  meadows,  but  are 
by  no  means  essential  to  it.  The  tea  house  which  is  getting  domesti- 
cated with  us  answers  the  same  good  purpose.  Prices  should  be  low 
in  reservation  restaurants — like  those  of  Randall  Hall  at  Harvard 
University,  for  example,  where  one  can  get  a  substantial  breakfast  or 
luncheon  for  14  cents. 

In  ever}^  large  public  park  ample  provision  should  be  made  for 
this  eating  and  drinking  in  the  open  air— from  baskets,  if  there  be  no 
restaurants  in  the  place.  Steady  efforts  should  be  made  to  develop 
this  habit  among  us  Americans.  It  is  by  no  means  necessar}^  that  the 
refreshments  should  be  elaborate  or  alcoholic;  indeed,  it  is  much  better 
that  they  should  not  be.  Tea,  coffee,  cocoa,  or  milk,  with  rolls  or 
toast,  and  jam,  cheese,  or  herring  will  go  a  long  way  toward  making 
people  feel  comfortable  and  pleased.  But  it  is  impracticable  for  a 
family  to  spend  many  hours  on  a  playground,  or  a  beach,  or  in  a  for- 
est, unless  provision  is  made  for  eating  and  drinking.  There  should 
be  an  ample  and  convenient  supply  of  water;  there  should  be  shelters 
from  sun  or  sudden  rain;  and  there  should  be  everj^where  a  perfect 
tidiness.  Regulations  against  scattering  paper  and  leaving  behind 
remnants  of  food,  or  boxes,  or  bottles  should  be  rigidly  enforced;  but 
the  habit  of  eating  in  the  open  air  in  families  or  companies  of  friends 
should  be  vigorously  encouraged  and  promoted  in  all  public  reserva- 
tions. Thus  it  is  legitimate  and  desirable  to  provide  rustic  tables  and 
benches  in  places  suitable  for  lunch  or  supper  parties;  for  some  men 
and  women  object  to  sitting  on  the  ground  even  when  it  is  dry. 


252  PARK   SYSTEM   OF   THE    DISTRICT   OF    COLUMBIA. 

THE    PARKS   IN   WINTER. 

One  would  suppose,  from  the  deserted  aspect  of  the  Boston  metro- 
politan parks  in  winter,  that  our  New  England  people  had  never 
observed  that  winter  is  nearly  as  interesting  a  season  in  the  open  air 
as  summer,  the  beauty  of  ice  and  snow  replacing  the  beauty  of  foliage. 
The  en]03mient  of  winter,  however,  requires  more  forethought,  more 
attention  to  clothing,  and  more  care  to  avoid  wind  and  storm.  On 
the  whole,  winter  is  a  far  l^etter  season  for  walking  in  public  parks 
and  forests  than  summer  is.  One  sees  much  more  of  the  broad  scen- 
ery when  the  leaves  have  fallen.  Moreover,  it  is  a  mistake  to  put 
away  one's  bicycle  in  winter.  Wherever  there  are  well-macadamized 
roads  it  is  possible  to  ride  a  bicycle  very  comfortably  on  many  winter 
days,  particularly  in  the  early  morning,  before  the  wind  has  risen  or 
the  sun  has  softened  the  surface  of  the  roads.  I  need  not  say  that 
the  winter  aspect  of  a  forest,  after  a  fresh  fall  of  snow,  or  after  cold 
ram  has  frozen  upon  every  twig  and  lingering  leaf,  is  one  of  extraor- 
dinary beauty.  Less  understood  is  the  beauty  of  bare  trees,  of  the 
half-frozen  brook,  and  of  the  blue  shadows  on  the  fields  of  snow. 
The  only  thing  a  healthy  person  need  ask  in  winter  in  order  to  get 
great  enjoj^ment  out  of  doors  in  the  country  is  absence  of  wind.  In 
our  New  England  climate  there  are  as  many  still  days  in  winter  as 
there  are  in  summer;  or  perhaps  one  could  better  say  that  there  are 
as  many  parts  of  da3^s  that  are  still  in  winter  as  in  summer.  In  all 
parts  of  the  3^ear  the  morning  and  the  evening  are  more  likely  to  be 
calm  than  the  middle  of  the  day.  The  winter  winds  can  not  be  faced 
with  pleasure;  but  the  calm  days  of  winter  are  delightful  in  the  open 
air  if  one  is  properly  clothed  and  is  taking  exercise. 

For  children  and  j^oung  people  the  enjoj^ment  of  open-air  scenery 
is  greatly  increased  by  the  habit  of  sketching  with  the  pencil  or  of 
taking  notes  of  scenery  with  the  camera.  In  these  days  it  is  immeasur- 
ably better  to  go  hunting  for  birds  and  other  wild  creatures  with  the 
camera  than  with  the  gun.  There  is  much  more  skill  in  the  use  of  a 
camera,  and  much  more  satisfaction  in  the  results. 

BERRY   AND   FLOWER   PICKING. 

The  enjoyment  of  the  populace  in  large  country  parks  and  forests 
can  be  greatly  promoted  by  allowing  the  picking  of  flowers  and  ber- 
ries; and  this  permission  may  be  safely  given,  provided  plants  are 
not  dug  up  by  the  roots,  either  by  design  or  through  carelessness. 
So  valuable  is  this  privilege  that  it  is  better  to  run  some  risk  of  the 
extermination  of  desirable  growths  than  to  prohibit  picking.  It  is, 
of  course,  possible  to  keep  sowing  the  plants  which  are  most  apt  to 
be  picked,  like  the  columbine,  the  wild  geranium,  the  anemone,  the 
violet,  and  the  strawberry  blossom.     Some  fragrant  things  ought  to 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  253 

be  carefully  raised  in  the  parks  expressly  for  the  enjojmient  they 
give  to  the  people  who  discover  them  appearing-  in  their  season. 
Such  are  the  mayflower,  the  linn^a,  and  the  laurel. 

PROVIDE   FOR   THE   HORSES. 

A  seaside  city  like  Boston  is  able  to  offer  to  its  population  a  great 
variet}"  of  reservations,  the  different  sorts  being  attractive  to  various 
kinds  of  people  or  at  different  seasons  of  the  year.  Thus  the  beaches 
are  open  to  observation,  and  are  fitted  for  the  enjoyment  of  the  gre- 
garious people  who  like  a  great  crowd  and  enjoy  things  in  common 
with  a  multitude.  The  woods,  on  the  other  hand,  are  well  fitted  for 
the  individual  who  loves  solitude,  or  for  the  familj^  which  prefers  a 
private,  quiet,  withdrawn  place  for  their  little  fete  on  a  child's  birth- 
da}'  or  the  wedding  anniversary.  The  metropolitan  forest  reservations 
around  Boston  are  already  used  in  this  way.  One  who  often  goes 
through  them  comes  upon  the  solitar}'  pedestrian  or  bicyclist,  who  has 
brought  his  luncheon  with  him  and  is  eating  it  quite  alone  in  some 
natural  shelter,  whence  he  can  see  no  human  being  or  human  habita- 
tion. One  comes  also  upon  the  family  group  which  has  gone  down  a 
side  path  and  estal>lished  itself  under  some  familiar  tree  that  has 
sheltered  them  at  former  visits.  Evidently  individuals  and  families 
are  learning  to  resort  in  the  forest  reservations  to  particular  spots, 
which  have  in  these  few  years  alread}^  become  dear  to  them.  Thou- 
sands of  persons  resort  to  the  large  parks  in  vehicles  drawn  b}^  horses. 
At  present  this  is  the  chief  method  of  enjoying  the  Middlesex  Fells, 
the  Ston}'  Brook  Reservation,  and  the  Blue  Hills  Reservation;  but  the 
people  who  are  thus  brought  to  the  reservations  need  to  wander  about 
them  on  foot,  and  there  should  therefore  be  provided  in  such  reserva- 
tions places  to  hitch  horses  under  supervision.  It  is  doubtless  wise  to 
prohibit  the  hitching  of  horses  to  trees,  because  trees  so  used  are  apt 
to  be  injured;  but  where  this  regulation  exists  and  no  hitching  places 
are  expressly  provided  the  driving  visitors  to  the  park  are  almost 
compelled  to  remain  in  their  wagons.  This  is  a  serious  impediment  to 
the  real  enjoyment  of  forests  or  country  parks. 

MANY    SEATS    DESIRABLE. 

In  scenery  parks  the  enjoyment  of  the  people  can  be  greatly  pro- 
moted by  providing  numerous  footpaths  leading  to  the  best  points  of 
view  and  to  seats  there  provided.  These  paths  should  of  course  be 
nothing  more  than  trails,  from  which  the  underbrush  and  other 
obstacles  to  passage  have  been  removed.  Seats  at  good  points  of  view 
are  very  important  parts  of  this  provision.  The  people  need  to  be 
tempted  to  linger  in  the  parks  for  hours,  and  to  do  this  without  cov- 
ering great  distances  or  enduring  anything  which  can  properly  be 


254  PAEK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

called  fatigue.  It  is  the  open  air  and  the  quiet  aspect  of  nature  which 
are  wholesome  and  refreshing;  and  to  get  the  benefit  of  these  influ- 
ences takes  time  and  a  sense  of  leisure  and  restfulness.  In  like  man- 
ner, in  small  city  squares  the  provision  of  seats  is  indispensable  to 
popular  enjoyment  of  these  open  spaces.  Small  squares  in  the  midst 
of  dense  population  should  be  open-air  parlors — resorts  for  the  feeble 
and  infirm  rather  than  for  the  strong  and  tireless.  In  all  tree-planted 
avenues  or  boulevards  chairs  should  be  provided  either  by  the  munic- 
ipality or  by  persons  who  have  paid  the  municipality  for  the  privilege 
of  letting  chairs.  Such  alleys  of  trees  as  those  of  Commonwealth 
avenue,  in  Boston,  ought  to  be  lined  with  chairs. 

LARGE  PRIVATE  ESTATES  LACKING. 

When  once  convenient  access  by  electric  cars  to  a  reservation,  or  to 
many  reservations,  has  been  provided,  it  becomes  the  interest  of  the 
transportation  company  or  companies  to  announce  good  skating  on  the 
pond,  or  fine  surf  on  the  beaches,  or  a  light  snow  in  the  woods,  or  the 
blooming  of  the  spring  flowers,  or  the  ripening  of  the  berries. 
Through  all  possible  agencies,  public-spirited  or  self-interested,  the 
open-air  habit  should  be  cultivated  among  us  Aniericans.  Unless  public 
reservations  are  to  be  enjoyed  bj^the  people  generation  after  generation, 
it  is  hard  to  imagine  where  Americans  are  to  get  the  opportunity  of 
enjoying  country  scenery  at  all;  for  it  seems  to  he,  almost  impossible 
in  our  country  to  create  a  beautiful  family  estate  and  transmit  it  unim- 
paired from  generation  to  generation.  The  creator  of  such  an  estate 
does  not  leave  to  any  one  of  his  children  money  enough  to  maintain 
the  estate  he  himself  created;  or  he  has  no  children,  or  no  child  who 
inherits  his  taste  for  country  life;  or  the  value  of  the  surrounding  land 
rises  greatly,  so  that  the  original  owner  or  his  heirs  can  no  longer 
afford  to  hold  a  large  area  subject  to  taxation  at  its  value  as  house 
lots,  though  yielding  no  income  whatever;  or  the  neighborhood  of  the 
estate  degenerates  or  becomes  too  populous. 

American  laws  and  American  customs  alike  tend  to  prevent  the 
transmission  of  large  country  estates  from  father  to  son;  and  the 
maintenance  of  such  an  estate  through  two  generations  is  therefore 
very  rare.  The  vicinity  of  Boston  within  a  dozen  miles  of  the  state- 
house  contains,  I  believe,  the  best  housed  and  most  comfortable 
population  on  the  face  of  the  earth;  yet  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge 
and  belief  there  is  onl}"  one  fine  countr}^  place  within  that  area  which 
has  been  transmitted  unimpaired  from  the  merchant  who  created  it 
to  his  son  and  his  grandson,  and  now  bids  fair  to  descend  to  the 
fourth  generation.  It  is  the  same  with  old  houses.  In  Europe  they 
are  assiduousl}"  preserved;  in  America  they  are  pulled  down  or  given 
over  to  trade,  and  new  ones  are  built.  In  the  inmost  heart  of  every 
American,  whether  rich  or  poor,  the  very  first  desire  on  any  increase 


PAKK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  255 

of  fortune  is  to  build  a  new  and  larger  house.  If  a  young  Maine 
fisherman  has  a  good  season,  and  his  share  of  the  summer's  profit  on 
the  mackerel  or  the  lobsters  amounts  to  five  or  six  hundred  dollars,  he  is 
quite  certain,  if  he  is  a  frugal  and  far-seeing  person,  to  build  a  hoUn* 
with  it.  The  manager  of  a  great  steel  trust,  or  the  prospei'ous  banker 
or  broker  does  precisely  the  same  thing,  on  his  scale.  Neither  will 
buy  an  old  house,  appropriate  or  handsome  though  it  be.  It  is,  then, 
only  the  public  estates  which  are  likely  to  be  permanent,  and  to  be 
enjoyed  by  many  successive  generations. 

PARKS  AND  SCHOOL  CHILDREN. 

A  very  important  use  of  parks  and  public  gardens  should  be  the  use 
by  school  children  under  the  direction  of  their  teachers.  The  trans- 
fer of  the  great  majority  of  the  population  in  many  of  our  States 
from  the  country  to  the  city  has  imposed  a  new  duty  on  city  schools. 
Children  ))rought  up  in  the  countr}^  get  a  deal  of  invaluable  training 
from  their  rural  surroundings,  and  from  the  farm  work  in  which  they 
can  take  a  share.  They  drive  the  cows  to  pasture  and  bring  them 
home;  they  roam  through  the  woods  and  fields,  and  know  the  ponds 
and  water  courses,  and  the  creatures  that  live  in  them;  they  notice  the 
weather  and  the  state  of  the  sky  and  the  round  of  the  seasons  and 
the  habits  of  domestic  animals;  the}^  can  ride  and  drive  the  horses, 
and  milk  the  cows,  and  help  the  mother  in  the  dairy  and  the  father  in 
the  barn;  they  learn  the  use  of  many  tools,  and,  in  general,  can  do  some- 
thing with  their  hands.  They  get  training  in  observation,  attention, 
and  quick  decision,  and  in  the  judgment  which  prevents  waste  of 
strength,  and  distinguishes  between  the  essential  and  immediately  neces- 
sary in  productive  labor  and  the  unessential  and  postponable.  To  the 
city  child  the  lack  of  this  natural  training  in  country  life  is  an  almost 
irreparable  loss.  Of  late  years  city  schools  have  been  trying  to  make  up 
to  the  child  for  this  loss  by  giving  instruction  in  such  kinds  of  manual 
work  as  can  be  adapted  to  the  urban  conditions.  Carpentr}^,  forging, 
filing,  and  turning  for  boys,  and  cooking  and  sewing  for  girls  have 
been  put  into  school  programmes,  and  manual-training  schools  have 
been  established,  in  which  a  considerable  proportion  of  the  school 
time  is  devoted  to  manual  labor.  These  devices  are  good,  but  they 
need  to  be  supplemented  by  what  is  called  nature  study.  But  nature 
study  is  difiicult  in  cities,  for  the  stud}'^  of  specimens  indoors  is  but  a 
very  imperfect  substitute  for  the  out-of-door  study  of  living  things 
under  natural  conditions. 

Now  parks,  public  gardens,  and  the  decorative  borders  of  parkways 
afi'ord  an  opportunity  to  teach  children  much  about  trees,  shrubs,  and 
herbaceous  plants;  and  these  public  provisions  should  be  diligentlv 
utilized  for  this  purpose.     In   many  German   schools   it  is  a  part 


256  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

of  the  work  expected  of  the  teachers  to  take  the  pupils  on  walks  and 
*  short  excursions,  and  to  show  them  on  the  way  about  the  visible  flora 
and  fauna,  and  the  working  of  the  climatic  and  geologic  forces  which 
have  molded  the  surface  of  the  earth.  The  short  excursions  which 
take  place  during  the  school  year  are,  moreover,  supplemented  by 
voluntary  excursions  of  pupils  and  teachers  together  during  vaca- 
tions. Public  reservations  can  be  put  to  no  better  use  than  this;  for 
it  is  the  children  who  are  most  capable  of  acquiring  a  love  of  natural 
beauty  and  a  knowledge  of  the  elements  of  that  beauty.  It  is  they 
who  can  quickest  learn  to  understand  the  working  of  the  forces  which 
have  made  the  hill  and  the  valley,  the  pond  and  the  brook,  the  bushy 
pasture,  and  the  arable  field.  It  is  they  who  can  best  learn  to  recognize 
the  constituents  of  the  commonest  ground-covers  in  a  given  locality, 
and  to  appreciate  the  changes  which  civilized  man  makes  in  scener3' 
or  landscape.  It  is  the  children,  trained  in  this  way,  who  will  grow 
up  with  a  love  of  the  parks  and  a  keen  desire  to  spend  time  in  them; 
it  is  they  who  can  best  acquire  the  out-of-door  habit,  and  the  love  of 
walking,  botanizing,  collecting  specimens  of  rocks,  minerals,  insects, 
birds,  shells,  or  eggs,  and  observing  temperatures,  winds,  clouds, 
rainfall,  and  the  changing  aspects  of  the  heavens  at  night.  To  see 
these  things  it  is  necessary  to  get  into  the  open;  the  narrow  city 
street,  paved  and  bounded  by  high  walls,  gives  the  children  no  chance 
for  observation  of  nature. 

Even  this  sort  of  nature  study  has  a  serious  defect,  in  that  it  can 
hardl}^  be  associated — like  farm  life — with  productive  labor;  but,  in 
spite  of  this  defect,  it  is  the  best  available  means  of  giving  city 
children  some  conception  of  the  natural  world  and  some  permanent 
resources  for  life-long,  innocent,  and  healthful  enjoyment.  Even  a 
city  square,  in  which  a  large  portion  of  the  area  is  necessarily  gravel, 
may  be  made  to  illustrate  for  the  children  of  the  neighboring  schools 
some  of  the  most  charming  of  natural  phenomena,  such  as  the  series 
of  blooms  and  of  twig  and  foliage  colors  which  adorn  the  successive 
months  of  spring,  summer,  and  autumn.  I  have  in  mind  not  only  the 
brilliant  cultivated  flowers,  native  or  exotic,  which  may  be  made  to 
illuminate  a  public  square  with  a  series  of  striking  forms  and  colors, 
but  also  the  quieter  series  of  blooms  which  the  New  England  wood- 
lands, pastures,  and  brooksides  may  show,  from  the  anemone,  violet, 
iris,  and  flowering  dogwood,  by  the  shad  bush  and  magnolia,  through 
clethra  and  golden-rod,  to  asters  and  the  fringed  gentian.  It  is  one 
of  the  great  advantages  of  the  scientific  Arboretum,  such  as  that  at 
Jamaica  Plain  (Boston),  that  it  provides  a  marvelous  series  of  beauti- 
ful phenomena  in  flowers,  foliage,  and  fruit,  from  early  March  to 
late  November.  This  contribution  to  public  enjoj^ment  even  a  small 
city  square  can  supply  in  some  measure.  What  has  been  provided 
for  the  delight  of  older  persons  can  also  be  used  for  the  profit  and 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  257 

pleasure  of  the  children.  I  am  aware  that  this  out-of-door  teaching- 
would  be  a  new  function  for  most  American  teachers,  and  that  very 
few  of  those  now  in  the  public  school  service  are  competent  for  such 
work.  This  fact,  however,  should  only  stimulate  the  community  to 
set  about  training  in  large  numbers  the  new  kind  of  teacher  that  is  so 
urgently  needed. 

MORAL   BENEFITS   TO   BE   GAINED. 

I  have  spoken  of  the  utilization  of  public  reservations  as  if  they 
were  to  be  expected  to  yield  only  health  and  enjoyment  and  improved 
powers  of  perception;  but  I  should  deal  with  the  subject  ver}^  imper- 
fectl}^  if  I  did  not  point  out,  that  the  right  utilization  of  public  reser- 
vations is  a  strong  agency  for  promoting  public  morality  and  a  high 
standard  of  family  life.  It  is  a  safeguard  for  society  to  provide  means 
of  pleasure  for  men,  women,  and  children  together.  The  pleasures 
men  share  with  their  wives  and  children  are  apt  to  be  safer  pleasures 
than  those  they  take  b}^  themselves.  In  pleasures  thus  shared  there  is 
much  less  likelihood  of  coarseness,  or  excess,  or  careless  selfishness. 
They  cultivate  considerateness,  gentleness,  and  tenderness  toward  the 
3^oung  or  the  feeble.  The  appropriate  pleasures  of  forest  reservations 
or  country  parks  are  all  cheering,  refining,  and  cleansing;  they  are 
soothing  and  uplifting;  they  separate  city  men  and  women  from  the 
squalor,  tumult,  and  transitoriness  of  the  human  anthill,  and  bring 
them  face  to  face  with  things  calm,  lovely,  grand,  and  enduring.  At 
the  park  and  the  beach  men  and  women  can  lift  up  their  eyes  to  the 
hills  and  the  sky,  or  look  off  to  the  infinite  verge  of  ocean,  or  come 
face  to  face  with  some  of  the  endless  varieties  of  beauty  in  color,  form, 
and  texture  with  which  the  surface  of  the  earth  is  decked.  It  is,  then, 
for  the  elevation  of  human  nature  on  its  every  side  that  the  better 
utilization  of  public  reservations  is  to  be  urged.  It  has  been  the  lot 
of  the  present  generation  to  select  for  the  urban  populations  of  the 
present  and  the  future  many  of  these  great  treasures.  It  will  be 
for  future  generations  to  maintain,  enlarge,  and  adorn  them,  and  to 
develop  among  the  people  a  greater  power  of  enjoying  them. 
p  1—03 17 


SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS— SECOND  SERIES,  NO.  II. 


NOTES  ON  THE  ANTWERP  QUAY  AND  ON  THE  EXHIBITION  OF 
ANIMALS  IN  ZOOLOGICAL  PARKS. 

By  Frederick  Law  Olmsted,  Jr. 


Septemtjer  18,  1902 — Printed  for  the  use  of  the  Committee. 


Mr.  Frederick  Law  Olmsted,  jr.,  while  traveling  in  Europe  during 
the  summer  of  1902  made  the  following  notes  on  subjects  treated  in 
the  report  on  the  park  system  of  the  District  of  Columbia  (Senate 
Report  No.  166,  Fifty-seventh  Congress,  first  session).  Mr.  Olmsted's 
notes  were  sent  in  the  form  of  letters  to  Mr.  Charles  Moore,  clerk  of 
the  Senate  Committee  on  the  District  of  Columbia;  and  the  sketches 
were  subsequently  redrawn  in  Mr.  Olmsted's  office  at  Brookline,  Mass. 


Antwerp,  July  31^  190'2. 

At  Antwerp  I  was  interested  and  amused  to  find  that  they  had  anti- 
cipated the  Park  Commission  scheme  for  the  Potomac  Quay,  after  a 
fashion,  by  some  thirty  years  or  more  (how  much  more  depends  on 
Congress).  The  cross  section  is  about  like  the  accompanying  cut. 
(See  fig.  1.) 

In  the  21-foot  space  outside  of  the  Promenade  is  a  railroad  track  run- 
ning under  a  series  of  movable  cranes  on  a  wider  track.  These  are 
hydraulic  and  make  connections  in  a  continuous  covered  pipe  trench 
just  outside  the  rails.  There  are  numerous  hydraulic  capstans  outside 
for  hauling  cars,  etc.  The  (short)  cars  are  pushed  over  to  parallel 
tracks  on  platforms  running  on  crosswise  tracks  as  in  a  car  barn  of  a 
street  railway.  The  sheds  are  side  by  side,  but  not  completel}^  con- 
tinuous along  the  Promenade.  The  latter  is  supported  on  iron  col- 
umns like  an  elevated  railway.  It  is  approached  at  one  end  by  a 
curving  stone  ramp  of  massive  and  rather  elaborate  architecture — 
perhaps  a  little  too  much  so  for  the  design  of  the  steel  structure  which 
it  serves.  The  other  end  is  terminated  b}"  a  little  cafe  and  is  connected 
with  the  street  by  a  wide  elevated  footbridge  with  steps  down  to  the 
sidewalk.  This  is  only  one  section,  about  1,000  feet  long.  There  is  a 
second  of  perhaps  the  same  length,  separated  from  the  first  by  a  sort 

259 


260 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


of  plaza  on  the  qua}^  level  from  which  the  stone  ramp  rises.  This 
plaza  is  near  the  center  of  the  town  and  is  not  used  for  commercial 
purposes  (except  for  ferryboats,  etc.).  The  northern  section  of  raised 
promenade   has  its   own    ramp   on   the  opposite  side  of  the   plaza, 

designed  in  connection  with  the  old  "Steen," 
remains  of  the  Castle  of  Antwerp,  rising 
through  arches,  etc.,  which  have  been  skill- 
fully designed  to  harmonize  with  the  old 
structure. 

The  Promenade  faces  across  the  Scheldt  to 
the  west,  like  the  proposed  Potomac  Quay, 
but  the  view  over  the  flat  plains  of  Belgium, 
which  lie  beyond  the  cluster  of  boat  and  bath 
houses  and  cheap  restaurants  on  the  other 
shore,  is  not  to  be  compared  for  a  moment 
with  the  view  up  the  Potomac. 
I         The  Promenade  appears  to  be  very  popular, 
•3     to  judge  from  the  numbers  I  saw  using  it  on 
d.    the  two  days  I  was  there.     A  Japanese  man- 
I     of -war  had  hauled  in  against  the  qua}"  and  was 
<     obviously  something  of  a  " special  attraction," 
I     but  a  goodly  number  were  elsewhere  on  the 
J     Promenade  getting  the  breeze  and  watching 
^     the  shipping.     The  district  along  the  street 
t     back  of  the  quay  is  decent  to  look  upon,  like 
I     all  of  Antwerp,  and  can  not,  therefore,  be 
£     compared  exactly  with  the  Georgetown  Har- 
^     bor  district;  but  it  is  distinctly  commercial 
I     and  in  itself  relatively  unattractive  for  Ant- 
werp, small  cheap  restaurants  for  sailors  and 
longshoremen  and  offices  of  ship  chandlers, 
etc.,  occupjang  much  of  the  frontage;   yet 
people  do  not  hesitate  to  come  down  through 
or   past   this   district    for  the   sake   of   the 
promenade. 

Antwerp  as  a  whole  is  immensel}"  instruct- 
ive to  a  landscape  architect  concerned  with 
municipal  developments,  as  it  contains  in  the 
newer  quarter  many  streets  and  boulevards 
and  places  of  varying  types,  generally  very 
well  laid  out  under  French  influence  about  1865 
and  later.  The  scale  of  the  town  is  rather  small,  which  makes  it  not  only 
more  comprehensible  than  Paris,  but  in  some  wsljs  more  perfect  and 
more  interesting,  and  distincth^  more  applicable  as  to  its  suggestions 
for  most  American  cities.  There  is  a  park  of  about  50  (?)  acres,  laid 
out  in  1866-1869  by  M.  Keilig,  on  the  site  of  an  old  lunette  and  moat, 


PAKE    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTEICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


261 


kVk\\^\v.v<:vT.v 


262 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


.r'%" 


J-  -y-  ■'         i 


R&served  ii.  ace  for  trees 
(Hone  ifiestnuti) 


Pig.  3. — Sketch  plan  of  pachyderm  house,  Hamburg- 
Zoological  Garden. 


which  struck  me  as  one  of  the  best  designed  small  city  parks  I  have 
ever  seen. 

The  Zoological  Garden  1  am  told  is  about  the  best  in  Europe;  but  1 
was  rather  disappointed  with  it.     It  has  numerous  buildings,  many  of 

which  are  expensive,  some 
of  which  are  notably  well  ar- 
ranged, and  a  few  of  which 
are  appropriate  and  well  de- 
signed architecturally.  The 
collection  is  quite  extensive, 
but  the  larger  animals  have 
not  nearly  enough  room, 
and  many  of  the  buildings 
give  the  impression  of  hav- 
ing been  designed  by  archi- 
tects who  did  not  patiently 
consider  the  health  and  con- 
venience of  the  animals  as 
much  as  they  did  architec- 
tural displa3^  1  think  not 
a  little  money  has  been 
wasted  in  this  way — a  danger  that  must  be  carefullj^  guarded  against 
at  Washington.  It  is  so  much  easier  when  the  ball  gets  to  rolling  to 
procure  money  for  some  one  particular  building  and  expend  it  upon 
big  vestibules  and  mosaic  pavements  and  heav}^  piers — on  the  picture 
frame  as  it  were — than  it  is  to  get  money  for  consistentl}^  good  cages 
and  little  houses  and  all  . 

the  hundred  minor  fea- 
tures of  which  a  zoo 
stands  in  need. 

I  ought  to  say,  how- 
ever, that  the  maintain- 
ance  of  the  grounds  at 
Antwerp  is  ver}-  thor- 
oughly done;  the  paths 
all  well  kept,  the  grass 
in  perfect  condition,  the 
(too   numerous)   expen- 
sive beds  of  gay  flowers 
in    the  pink   of   condi- 
tion— or  rather  the  scar- 
let and  blue  and  yellow.     I  have  a  map — only  fairly  accurate — on  which 
I  have  noted  the  distribution  of  the  spaces  devoted  to  lawn  and  shrub- 
bery, to  the  public  travel,  and  to  the  animals  themselves.     Of  course 
on  the  perfectly  flat  ground  of  Antwerp  the  two  latter  are  much  larger 


Nttting 


Note  Frames  of  cages  ore  covered  with  if/ire  netting . 
Houses  ore  cf  stone,  stuccoed  and  are  ivhiteivashed 
on  the  inside .  The  front  n  entirely  open 
Cages  ore  6'^ide  ondore  built  m  o  long  row 

Fig.  4.— Cross  section  of  cages  for  large  birds,  Zoological  Park, 
Antwerp,  Belgium. 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  Zbd 

in  proportion  than  will  ever  be  possible  at  Washington,  because  of 
the  great  extent  of  unavailable  land;  but  nevertheless  there  is  a 
very  considerable  amount  of  the  "buffer  territory" "  deliberately  set 
apart  for  landscape  effect.  On  the  whole,  barring*  the  injudicious  use 
of  bedding-  plants  in  places,  it  is  very  well  utilized,  and  the  systematic 
use  of  shrubbery  partitions,  as  it  were,  corresponds  very  well  in  prin- 
ciple with  what  I  have  had  in  mind  for  Washington. 


Note.  Cages  ore  about  lo  wide  and gre  built  in  a  rov . 
Fig.  5.— Cross  section  of  kangaroo  cages. 


EXHIBITION    BUILDINGS    FOR   ANIMALS. 

1  have  been  struck  again  and  again  with  the  waste  of  money  in  these 
European  zoological  gardens  upon  rather  pretentious  buildings  which 
fail  to  present  the  animals  in  a  really  effective  manner.  Perhaps  with 
the  motive  of  emphasizing  the  excellence  of  the  picture  the  frame  has 
been  so  elaborated  and  magnified  as  to  make  the  picture  seem  a  mere 
incident.  This  is  only  in  the  worst  cases,  but  it  is  measurably  true  in 
almost  every  case  where  the  house  is  anything  more  than  a  cheap  and 
rather  shabby  shed-like  affair.  The  most  suggestive  buildings  1  have 
seen,  though  not  in  themselves  the  best,  are  the  bird  house  and  the 
pachj'derm  house  at  Hamburg.  But  perhaps  1  ought  to  say  that 
reallj^  the  most  suggestive  buildings  are  the  aquaria. 

I  think  that  without  question  the  most  thoroughly  satisfactory  method 
of  exhibiting  any  kind  of  animal  (regardless  of  the  interest  which  the 
various  animals  may  have  in  themselves)  is  that  of  a  good  aquarium, 
where  the  light  of  the  public  space  enters  through  the  tanks  onl3^ 
The  chief  reason  for  this  is  the  manner  of  illumination,  which  calls 
attention  to  the  fish,  renders  them  relatively  brilliant,  and  leaves  the 
spectators  inconspicuous  both  to  each  other  and  to  the  fish.  It  makes 
it  seem  as  though  the  fish  were  living  their  own  lives  almost  undis- 
turbed by  the  people  who  are  peering  upon  them  out  of  the  obscurit}^ 
of  their  covert.  It  is  like  watching  animals  from  a  "blind"  in  the 
wild  country.  But  a  great  deal  is  due  to  the  striking  and  somewhat 
spectacular  illumination.  It  is  like  a  well  lighted  stage  seen  from  a 
dark  house,  whereas  an  aquarium  lighted  through  the  space  in  which 


264 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


the  people  stand  is  like  a  theater  illuminated  only  by  the  chandelier 
over  the  pit  and  without  any  footlights. 

Now,  while  the  aquarium  method  is  not  completely  applicable  to  all 
the  other  animals  I  think  a  srood  deal  misrht  be  done  in  that  direction. 


Outside  Pens 


Animals 


v/ww//////////////,  I 


'A".\WINZ 


Space  for  pipe i 


Public  Passage 


;^/^^^^^^^/^^^/^/^/^///^^^///^//j^^^/. 


Animals 


'(Aiij/)/!>/iiiiiiiirrrrr 


Outside  Pfns 


Fig.  6. — Suggestion  for  lighting  animal  houses. 


The  normal  animal  house  would  be  something  like  the  section  shown  in 

Fig.  6,  varying  in  dimensions  and  plan  to  suit  the  ^'arious  special  cases. 

In  many  cases  the  partition  between  the  people  and  the  animals  can 

be  of  plate  glass  instead  of  bars.     It  is  much  pleasanter  to  see  through, 


/^/orr/-J    oho  ye    a^er7  df- 


Ay    ty/A-e  of  Jxtaj ^ -y 


J€f-y/ce  "^ 


Oufs/de  Pens 


/AV/A'^^A>y^VA 


^  >//////z»///////yyy/7z^y 


Space  /or-  /0//oe  S, 
yenfi/erfors  e/c. 


A^y/yy^yy'yy^^y^y.'y'y'^yy^y 


Fig.  7. — Suggestion  for  cages. 


and  would  avoid  the  otherwise  unavoidable  stench  from  such  animals 
as  foxes  and  the  like.  It  is  often  used  for  snakes,  and  I  have  seen  it 
used  for  monkej's  and  as  a  wind-break  on  outside  cages.  Even  there 
it  made  a  pleasant  space  in  the  irritating  bars. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 


265 


The  construction  of  such  houses  can  be  of  the  lightest  steel  skele- 
ton work,  with  outside  walls  of  what  you  like — concrete,  8-inch  brick, 
stone.  The  architectural  problem  of  the  roofs  is  a  serious  one,  but 
can  be  satisfactorily  dealt  with,  1  am  sure.  The  simplest  wa}"  is  to 
use  a  parapet  and  conceal  the  (flattish)  roof,  relieving-  the  effect  b}^ 
pavilions  of  solid  roof  in  connection  with  vestibules,  feed  rooms,  etc. 

It  is  probable  that  with  cages  so  well  illuminated  the  animals  must 
have  retiring  places  at  the  back— dens  for  sleep  and  rest.  It  is  not 
desirable  in  anj^  case  that  animals  be  always  on  view  to  the  public,  and 
the  ideal  arrangement  is  one  with  small  dens  opening  for  pleasant 
weather  upon  an  outside  cage  and  in  bad  weather  upon  an  inside  cage, 
the  meaning  of  good  or  bad  weather  varying  greatly  with  the  different 
animals.  The  greater  amount  of  light  in  the  inner  cages,  approxi- 
mating more  closel}'  to  out  of  doors,  would  permit  the  growing  of 
plants  at  the  back  of  the  cages  in  man}^  cases. 

The  double  house — that  is,  with  a  central  aisle  and  two  ranges  of 
animals — is  dictated  by  economy  and  convenience.  I  have  seen  only 
one  ver}^  good  house  with  a  single  row  of  cages.  That  was  the  car- 
nivora  house  at  Amsterdam,  thus: 


A-  Thi^  sidef facing  south)  i5  a/mo-iit  all  qla^s 
and  /J  larqely  opened  up  in  goad  wecff^er 

Fig.  8.— Camivora  house,  Amsterdam. 


SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUJMBIA. 


PARK  IMPROVEMENT  PAPERS— SECOND  SERIES,  NO.  III. 


THE  EMBELLISHMENT  OF  WASHINGTON. 

By  Hon.  Carroll  D.  Wright, 
United  States  Commissioner  of  Labor. 

[Reprinted  from  the  New  York  Independent.] 


March  4,  1903. — Printed  for  the  use  of  the  committee. 


The  magnificent  plans  for  the  embellishment  of  the  city  of  Washing- 
ton put  older  Washingtonians  and  those  who  have  known  Washington 
for  a  generation  or  more  in  a  reminiscent  mood.  Washington  was 
really  discovered  Ijy  the  people  of  the  country  during  the  civil  war, 
and  when  it  was  discovered  it  was  found  to  be  a  city  whose  buildings, 
whether  for  business  or  residence,  except,  of  course,  the  Government 
buildings,  were  constructed  after  what  is  known  as  carpenters'  archi- 
tecture. They  had  straight  fronts,  flat  roofs,  and  a  uniform  cornice. 
There  were  sameness  and  tameness  ever3"where,  and  rarely  any  attempt 
to  secure  individuality  in  construction.  The  city  was  then  (during 
the  sixties)  in  the  senior  3'ear  of  the  course  of  studies  discovered  by 
the  Mock  Turtle  as  being  the  regular  course  of  the  school  at  the  bot- 
tom of  the  sea,  described  in  that  charming  study  in  sociolog}^  by  Lewis 
Carroll,  entitled  Alice's  Adventures  in  Wonderland.  The  Mock  Turtle, 
3^ou  remember,  having  described  the  school  in  a  general  way,  said  to 
Alice:  "I  only  took  the  regular  course."  "What  was  that? "  inquired 
Alice.  "Reeling  and  wa-ithing,  of  course,  to  begin  with,"  the  Mock 
Turtle  replied;  "and  then  the  difi'erent  branches  of  arithmetic — Ambi- 
tion, Distraction,  Uglification,  and  Derision." 

A  hundred  years  or  more  ago,  with  the  expansive  plan  of  L'Enfant, 
with  the  cupidity  of  buyers  of  real  estate  at  the  east  of  the  proposed 
Capitol,  Washington  went  through  a  specific  course  of  Ambition.  It 
was  elective  in  the  highest  degree.  Speculation,  disappointment,  and 
many  other  elements  drove  the  settlement  to  the  west,  and  the  new 
town  took  its  sophomore  course  in  Distraction.  These  courses  were 
of  short  duration;  but  when  the  city  entered  upon  its  junior  course 
and  took  up  Uglification  it  practiced  the  plan  of  uglif\'ing  for  more 

267 


268  PAKK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OE    COLUMBIA. 

than  half  a  century.  It  succeeded,  however,  and  passed  with  credit 
marks  into  the  senior  3"ear  of  its  three-quarters  of  a  century  course, 
and  was  in  the  midst  of  its  course  in  Derision  when  it  was  discovered. 
It  was  graduated,  then,  from  the  whole  course,  having  industriously 
and  conscientiously  passed  its  years  of  Ambition,  Distraction,  Uglifi- 
cation,  and  Derision  summa  cum  laude. 

As  a  result  of  the  discover}'  growing  out  of  the  fact  that  vast  num- 
bers of  our  people  visited  Washington  during  the  war  and  the  j^ears 
immediateh'  following  it,  the  country  awoke  to  the  fact  that  the  city 
was  the  seat  of  the  national  capital.  Congress  itself  was  hardlj"  aware 
of  it  and  had  never  done  much  to  improve  it.  There  were  quarrels 
and  dissensions,  vague  and  dreamj"  suggestions,  but  little  or  no  prac- 
tical effort  on  the  part  of  the  Federal  Legislature  to  improve  and 
beautify  a  cit}"  that  had  every  possibilit}"  for  improvement  and  for 
beautifying.  The  main  plans  on  which  it  was  founded  were  preserved, 
to  be  sure,  in  great  degree.  It  was  known  as  the  Cit}'  of  Magnificent 
Distances,  but  the  distances  were  the  only  magnificence  to  be  found 
here.  In  all  its  period  up  to  the  earl}'  seventies  it  was  a  dirty,  filthy, 
uncouth  place — ragged  and  plain. 

Fowls  and  animals,  especiall}'  swine,  were  seen  everywhere.  It  was 
a  surprise  to  visitors  passing  along  the  streets  and  avenues  of  the  city 
to  find  their  wa}'  disputed  b}^  the  porkers.  I  have  seen  swine  rooting 
in  the  streets  within  half  a  square  of  the  White  House.  Pavements 
were  rare,  and  those  that  existed  were  abominable.  The  streets  were 
almost  impassable  for  heavy  wagons  after  a  slight  rain,  and  I  have 
seen  {irmj  wagons  passing  along  New  York  avenue  between  Tenth 
and  Fifteenth  streets  even  sink  to  the  hubs  in  the  mire. 

But  a  change  came,  and  the  city  owes  the  change  as  nmch  to  the  pig 
as  to  anything  else.  While  traditionally  the  cackle  of  a  goose  set 
Kome  free,  it  was  the  rooting  of  a  pig  that  gave  Washington  its 
impetus  and  prevented  the  removal  of  the  capital  to  some  city  where 
municipal  government  had  some  force  and  power.  Under  the  old 
charters  the  boards  of  health  had  little  or  no  power  and  hardly  any 
activity.  A  distinguished  Senator — and  this  story  was  related  to  me 
by  one  of  the  participants,  and  while  I  have  given  the  story  in  another 
place,  it  is  appropriate  here — a  distinguished  Senator  was  very  much 
annoyed  one  morning,  after  completing  the  terrace  about  his  new 
house,  to  find  that  the  pigs  had  rooted  it  up,  and,  although  he  promptly 
shot  one  or  two  of  them,  he  was  nevertheless  ver}-  much  exercised,  and 
he  determined  at  once  to  introduce  a  bill  for  the  removal  of  the  capital, 
on  the  ground  that  the  capital  of  the  United  States  ought  to  be  located 
in  a  city  where  the  municipal  government  had  some  public  spirit,  and 
force  enough  to  make  it  a  place  suitable  for  a  residence  for  the  Presi- 
dent and  Congress.  My  informant  begged  him  to  do  nothing  of  the 
kind,  but,  on  the  contrary,  to  secure  the  passage  of  a  bill  which  would 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA,  269 

give  the  board  of  health  proper  power.  After  considerable  remon- 
strance the  Senator  agreed  to  this  course,  and  he  acted  upon  his 
conclusion. 

As  a  result  there  is  found  in  the  act  providing  a  government  for  the 
District  of  Columbia  a  provision  for  a  board  of  health,  whose  dut}^  it 
is  to  declare  what  shall  be  deemed  nuisances  injurious  to  the  health 
and  providing  for  the  removal  thereof,  and  to  make  and  enforce  regu- 
lations to  prevent  domestic  animals  from  running  in  the  streets  of  the 
cities  of  Washington  and  Georgetown.  This  became  part  of  the 
organic  law  of  the  new  government  established  at  that  time,  and  the 
action  of  the  Senator  referred  to  had  much  influence  in  securing  that 
act.     This  was  in  1870  or  1871. 

So  it  was  a  pig  that  led  to  the  removal  of  his  kind  from  the  streets 
and  avenues  of  the  citj^  of  Washington.  I  have  seen  some  descrip- 
tions of  the  proposed  plans  for  l)eautifying  Washington,  but  I  have 
seen  no  suggestion  for  the  erection  of  a  statue  to  the  principal  mover 
in  bringing  about  the  revolution  of  the  seventies,  when  Washington 
passed  from  her  senior  course  in  Derision  to  her  post-graduate  course 
in  Ambition. 

From  that  period  to  the  present,  Washington  has  steadily  pro- 
gressed. Her  residential  portions  are  extensive,  and  beautificKl  by 
varied  architecture.  The  ethical  and  economic  effects  of  this  move- 
ment are  in  evidence  everywhere.  The  city  has  taken  on  new  charac- 
ter, and  its  economic  prosperity  has  advanced  in  marvelous  degree. 

Washington  has  had  the  great  advantage,  so  far  as  my  recollection 
serves,  of  being  the  only  city  founded  and  planned  for  the  capital  of 
a  great  nation.  All,  or  nearl}^  all,  other  capitals  have  been  selected 
for  the  seats  of  government,  but  Washington  was  made  for  this  pur- 
pose. It  should,  therefore,  have  had  the  patriotic  support  of  the 
people  and  the  active  support  of  Congress  in  making  it  what  its  found- 
ers intended  it  should  be — the  most  beautiful  and  the  most  attractive 
capital  city  in  the  world.  This  was  the  ambition,  an  ambition  which 
was  lost  through  many  degrading  influences. 

We  are  now  entering  upon  another  ambitious  period,  with  the 
design  and  the  earnest  purpose  of  carrying  out  the  original  plans  in 
all  their  perfectness  and  grandeur.  We  have  now,  in  all  probability, 
as  beautiful  a  capital  cit}^  in  many  respects  as  an}^  nation,  but  with  its 
surrounding  territory,  its  rolling  countr}^,  and  all  its  natural  advan- 
tages, together  with  wide  streets  and  broad  avenues,  it  should  be  more 
than  it  has  been — it  should  be  the  most  beautiful  capital  city  of  the 
world.  Untrammeled  by  manufactures,  and  not  what  the  great  Wash  ■ 
ington  intended  it — the  commercial  center  of  the  country — but  the 
Government's  center,  there  is  no  reason,  except  that  growing  out  of 
lack  of  interest,  why  it  should  not  be  perfected  and  made  all  that  the 
ambition  of  a  wealthy  people  wish  it  to  be. 


270  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Works  of  art,  dignified  and  varied  architecture,  grand  public  edifices, 
beautiful  drives,  long  vistas,  magnificent  boulevards — all  these  things, 
when  they  come,  will  add  to  the  moral  influence  of  the  city.  Patriot- 
ism, in  demanding  such  things,  stimulates  its  own  growth.  Visitors 
to  the  city  of  Washington  now  go  home  with  a  truer  idea  of  the  genius 
of  the  Federal  Government,  of  its  institutions,  of  its  service  in  all 
directions — its  service  as  an  educational  and  scientific  power — and  with 
a  respect  which  they  could  not  gain  under  the  old  regime.  We  are 
proud  of  Washington  as  it  is;  we  are  all  proud  of  the  effect  its  institu- 
tions have  upon  our  guests  from  abroad.  How  many  times  we  have 
met  them  after  a  visit  to  the  Congressional  Library,  for  instance,  and 
heard  their  expressions  of  admiration.  Nothing  has  more  thoroughly 
convinced  the  foreign  visitor  of  the  power  and  the  genius  of  the  Amer- 
ican people  than  the  Congressional  Library.  Nowhere  in  any  capital 
can  such  a  structure  be  found,  nowhere  can  a  public  building  match  it, 
but  when,  on  the  other  hand,  they  see  that  it  is  the  outer  covering  of 
a  structure  of  education,  of  art,  of  the  soul  of  the  people,  their  admi- 
ration knows  no  bounds,  and  they  go  home  with  a  respect  for  the 
American  people  that  no  other  single  institution  induces. 

Our  own  citizens  are  proud  of  it.  They  tell  the  story  of  its  beauty 
to  their  friends  at  home,  and  the  result  is  a  constant  stream  of  visitors 
to  the  city  of  Washington,  that  in  many  instances  would  not  arrive 
were  it  not  for  the  stimulation  coming  from  that  one  grand  exemplifi- 
cation of  the  greatness  of  our  nation.  The  other  public  buildings  of 
the  city  aid  in  all  this,  and  it  can  easily  be  imagined  that,  should  the 
proposed  plans  be  carried  out  even  partially,  Washington  will  become 
the  Mecca  of  the  patriotic  travelers  of  our  land. 

Anything  that  inspires  respect  for  the  Government,  admiration  for 
its  genius,  and  love  for  its  fostering  care  and  for  its  endeavors  to 
enlighten  the  people  through  the  great  institutions  that  exist  in 
Washington,  is  certainly  to  be  encouraged,  and  of  itself  this  ethical 
influence  is  sufficient,  it  seems  to  me,  to  induce  the  Congress  to  enter 
upon  the  work  proposed.  I  feel  very  sure  that  the  voters  of  the  land 
will  support  any  measure  for  the  improvement  of  their  own  capital. 
They  are  proud  of  it  now  that  they  know  it;  they  will  be  prouder 
still  of  it  when  it  Is  made  what  it  can  be  and  when  all  the  structures 
that  are  now  unsightly  and  belong  to  the  uglifying  influences  of  the 
city  ai'e  removed  and  in  their  places  the  beautiful  architectural  designs 
are  found  in  the  practical  results  of  construction. 

From  an  economic  point  of  view,  all  that  is  proposed  must  meet 
with  approbation.  Washington  has  already  become  the  winter  resi- 
dence of  many  wealthy  citizens,  and  the  resort  of  students  who  find 
here  the  facilities  for  supplementing  their  college  and  university 
work.  The  results  of  the  plan  now  proposed  would  expand  this 
annual   pilgrimage;    hence  property  would   find  more  stable  if  not 


PAEK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  271 

increased  values  and  all  the  accompaniments — trade,  transportation, 
every  desirable  feature — would  secure  increased  attraction. 

It  is  sometimes  lamented  that  Washington  is  not  an  industrial  city, 
and  our  business  and  commercial  bodies  are  endeavoring  to  secure  the 
erection  of  great  manufacturing  plants.  This  is  perfectly  natural 
from  a  purelj"  business  point  of  view;  but  can  Washington  become  a 
great  manufacturing  center?  Is  it  desirable  that  it  should  become 
such?  The  cit}^  is  now  one  of  the  most  industrious  places  in  the 
country.  In  the  United  States  at  large  over  50  per  cent  of  the  popu- 
lation over  10  3"ears  of  age  are  engaged  in  some  remunerative  occupa- 
tion; in  Washington  nearly  55  per  cent  of  its  population  over  10 
years  of  age  are  so  engaged.  This  state  of  affairs  constitutes  an 
economic  advance.  The  ordinary  business  of  the  town,  its  local  man- 
ufactures, etc.,  offer  employment,  to  be  sure,  but  the  industrial  devel- 
opment of  Washington  does  not  offer  for  the  future  an}^  great  induce- 
ment to  make  it  a  manufacturing  center. 

The  economic  position  of  the  city  is  approached  more  fairly  from 
the  sociological  side  than  from  the  purel}^  industrial  point  of  view. 
Wages  are  higher  here,  on  the  whole,  than  in  any  part  of  the  country, 
so  far  as  skilled  labor  is  concerned,  and  so  far  as  the  clerical  work  of 
the  departments  is  taken  into  consideration,  compensation  is  much 
greater  than  in  private  business.  As  Washington  has  grown  without 
industry,  without  commerce,  is  it  not  well  to  preserve  it  as  the  center 
of  legislative  action,  of  scientific  development,  of  art,  and  of  educa 
tion  ?  It  can  prosper  on  these  lines,  and  the  country  at  large,  I 
believe,  will  gladly  support  and  encourage  it  in  its  future  grand 
development.  There  will  be  manufactured  here  from  time  to  time, 
as  now,  the  things  which  are  needed  for  the  consumption  of  the 
people  residing  here,  and  it  may  be  well  in  particular  instances  to 
have  industries  located  in  the  vicinity  of  Washington,  that  its  people 
may  secure  the  products  at  first  hanas.  All  these  things  would  find 
expansive  results  in  carrying  out  the  proposed  plans  for  the  further 
development  of  the  city.  Thus,  economically,  these  plans  offer  the 
strongest  inducement  for  Congress  to  adopt  them. 

Liibke  opens  his  Historj^  of  Art  with  this  statement,  taken  from 
the  German  artist-poet  Platen : 

The  more  things  thou  learnest  to  know  and  enjoy,  the  more  complete  and  full 
will  be  for  thee  the  delight  of  living. 

This  beautiful  expression  is  particularly  applicable  to  the  present 
ambitious  mood  in  which  we  find  ourselves.  The  artistic  develop- 
ment of  Washington  will  teach  us  to  know  and  to  enjoy,  and  our 
delight  of  living  and  the  delight  of  living  of  those  who  come  after  us 
will  be  more  complete  and  full. 

The  nations,  the  States,  and  the  municipal  governments  of  this  and 
other  lands  are  constantly  erecting  things  of  beauty — statues  of  cele- 


272  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

brated  men,  public  buildings  decorated  with  costlj^  designs.  All  this 
shapes  public  taste;  it  may  not  be  always  in  the  most  purely  artistic 
direction,  but  it  shapes  public  taste  for  something  beyond  the  com- 
mon architecture  of  Washington.  It  teaches  us  to  demand  that  our 
libraries,  capitols,  public  halls,  and  churches  shall  be  works  of  art. 
Are  there  many  such  in  this  city?  We  see  something  of  this  artistic 
development,  however,  in  such  structures  as  the  Boston  Public 
Library,  with  its  splendid  ornamentation;  the  Corcoran  Art  Gallery, 
which  in  itself  is  a  poem,  and  that  most  magnificent  of  all  buildings  in 
this  or  in  any  land,  as  I  have  said,  the  new  Congressional  Library. 
All  these  things  bespeak  moral  and  economic  results  that  can  not  be 
calculated  by  the  statistician,  and  it  is  their  influence  that  makes  the 
common  man  insist  that  if  he  is  to  purchase  a  kitchen  stove  it  shall  be 
artistic. 

Let  me  repeat  another  story.  During  the  World's  Fair  at  Chicago 
an  old  farmer  living  in  southern  Illinois  was  advised  to  visit  the  expo- 
sition. His  answer  was:  "No;  we  have  had  cattle  fairs  in  Shelby 
County  that  can  beat  anything  the}^  can  put  up  in  Chicago."  After 
some  persuasion,  however,  the  worthy  farmer  concluded  to  visit  Chi- 
cago, and  his  friends  had  the  shrewdness  to  take  him  to  the  exposition 
by  the  water  route  from  the  city.  Coming  up  from  the  pier,  he  was 
first  introduced  to  the  artistic  magnificence  of  the  White  City.  As  he 
entered  the  Court  of  Honor,  with  its  brilliant  electric  illumination,  he 
suddenly  stopped  and,  raising  his  hands,  said,  with  an  oath,  "I  don't 
believe  it."  It  dawned  on  that  man  for  the  first  time  in  his  life  that 
things  could  be  created  out  of  the  minds  of  men;  that  there  was  some 
thing  that  did  not  grow;  that  nature  was  not  all;  that  God  had  endowed 
his  beings  with  creative  souls  as  well  as  with  souls  for  worship  and 
with  hands  for  work.  There  was  an  inspiration  in  the  man's  mind, 
the  effects  of  which  could  never  cease  to  influence  him.  Now,  under 
the  new  Washington,  let  the  crude  citizen,  who  knows  nothing  of  art, 
who  has  never  seen  anything  of  beauty,  visit  it,  and  he  will  experience 
the  same  delight  of  expanded  soul  that  the  old  farmer  of  southern 
Illinois  experienced  in  visiting  the  Court  of  Honor. 

All  creations  of  art  stimulate  the  moral  and  economic  life  of  the 
people.  Others  may  dwell  upon  the  esthetic  efi^ects  of  the  proposed 
plans,  but  this  moral  and  economic  eft'ect  is  one  that  we  must  consider 
in  the  beginning;  for  in  all  its  forms,  art,  as  expressed  to  the  eye,  the 
heart,  and  the  soul,  has  in  it  something  of  divine  inspiration  and  has 
contributed  more  to  social  well-being  than  any  other  force  that  can  be 
named.  It  has  made  the  plain  beautiful:  it  has  made  nature  something 
more  than  nature  itself. 

Mr.  F.  Hopkinson  Smith,  in  his  sketch  entitled  A  Day  at  Laguerres, 
has  told  us: 

There  is  a  quality  which  one  never  sees  in  Nature  until  she  has  been  rough- 
handled  by  man  and  has  outlived  the  usage;   it  is  the  picturesque.      In  the  deep 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  273 

recesses  of  the  primeval  forest,  along  the  mountain  slope,  and  away  up  the  tumbling 
brook,  Nature  may  be  majestic,  beautiful,  and  even  sublime,  Ijut  she  is  never  pic- 
turesque. This  quality  comes  only  after  the  ax  and  the  saw  have  let  the  sunlight 
into  the  dense  tangle  and  scattered  the  falling  timber,  or  the  round  of  the  water 
wheel  has  divided  the  rush  of  the  brook. 

This  is  true;  the  picturesque  does  not  come  until  art  has  shaped  the 
surroundings.  It  will  be  the  result  of  art  that  the  natural  beauties  of 
Washington  become  picturesque. 

We  can  easily  foresee  the  moral  and  economic  results — we  can  not 
onlj^  foresee,  but  we  know  what  those  results  will  be;  the  experience 
of  the  world  emphasizes  them,  for  art  ever3"where  has  been  a  source 
of  wealth  and  of  moral  influence.  Fine  art  itself  is  a  wealth  producer. 
The  payment  of  $10,000  or  $50,000  for  a  painting  enriches  the  com- 
munity in  which  the  artist  lives.  There  has  been  something  added  in 
the  way  of  treasure  to  a  country's  assets  b}^  the  production  of  its 
artistic  genius.  The  very  presence  of  great  pictures  is  a  local  beuetit. 
Take  the  Sistine  Madonna  from  Dresden,  roh)  Paris  of  the  Louvre, 
despoil  London  of  its  National  Galleiy,  or  Antwerp  of  its  Rubens 
collection,  take  the  Art  Museum  out  of  Boston,  destroy  the  Congres- 
sional Library  and  the  Corcoran  Art  Galler}^,  remove  the  galleries 
which  are  growing  up  so  rapidly  in  our  Western  cities,  and  the  com- 
mercial value  of  all  the  places  in  which  these  rich  treasures  are  stored 
will  be  depreciated. 

So  when  Washington  experiences  the  grand  delight  of  having  all 
such  things,  and  more — the  things  that  are  suggested  in  the  proposed 
plans^t  will  find  itself  enriched  not  only  in  moral  influence — in  the 
development  of  a  taste  for  the  best  there  is  in  architectural  art  and  in 
landscape  architecture — but  richer  in  a  purelj^  commercial  sense,  and 
when  this  richness  comes  to  it  no  argument,  no  consideration,  can 
induce  the  city  or  Congress  or  the  people  (who  make  the  Congress)  to 
remove  it  in  the  least  degree. 
p  1—03 18 


II^DEX. 


A. 

Adams,  President  John  Quincy,  108;  builds  house  in  Washington,  203. 

Agricultural  Department,  82. 

Agriculture,  Secretary  of,  marks  trees  in  Agricultural  grounds,  12. 

Allen,  Col.  Charles  J.,  U.  S.  Corps  of  Engineers,  16. 

Alley  houses,  37. 

American  art  at  Paris  exhibition  in  1900,  156. 

American  Institute  of  Architects,  discussion  of  Washington  plans  by,  228. 

American  Park  and  Outdoor  Association,  President  Eliot's  paper  before,  247. 

Analostan  Island,  85. 

Anacostia  flats,  reclamation  of,  5,  6,  16,  37,  92. 

Anderson,  W.  W.,  40. 

Animals,  exhibition  buildings  for,  263. 

Annapolis,  Md.,  plan  of,  suggestive  of  Washington  plan,  192. 

Antwerp  quay,  259. 

Arboretum  for  the  District  of  Columbia,  23. 

Architectural  Review,  articles  in,  on  Washington,  194,  228. 

Argyle  Mill  road,  15. 

Arlington,  6,  86. 

Army  Medical  Museum,  82. 

Art  and  the  Toilers,  paper  read  before  the  American  Social  Science  Association  by 

Rev.  Frank  Sewall,  D.  D.,  242. 
Associated  Charities,  statement  of,  relative  to  need  of  additional  parks,  35. 
Athens,  commercial  value  of  Pericles's  work  in,  175. 
Atkinson,  Representative,  favors  purchase  of  Rock  Creek  Park,  105. 

B. 

Babcock,  Col.  Orville,  lays  out  part  of  the  Mall,  213. 
Baker,  Dr.  Frank,  superintendent  Zoological  Park,  12. 
Baltimore,  parks  of,  117,  125. 
Baltimore  and  Potomac  Railroad,  6. 
Barbour,  J.  L.,  103. 
Barlow,  Joel,  108. 
Barnard  heirs,  13. 

Barney,  Joshua,  opposed  British  advances  in  1814,  16,  21. 
Bartholdi  fountain  in  Botanic  Gardens,  80. 
Bartlett,  his  statue  of  Lafayette  in  Paris,  155. 
Bates,  E.  T.,  110. 
Bates,  James  A.,  103. 
Bathing  beach,  6,  36. 
Battery  Kingsbury,  20. 

Battleground  National  Cemetery,  15;  list  of  soldiers  killed  in  battle  near,  20. 
Beach,  Capt.  Lansing  H.,  Engineer  Commissioner  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  8,  9, 
13, 91. 

275 


276  PAEK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Beck,  Senator,  hia  bill  for  Zoological  Park,  102. 

Bell,  Charles  J.,  103. 

Berlin,  parks  in,  6,  35. 

Berry  picking  in  parks,  252. 

Bingham,  Col.  Theodore  A.,  officer  in  charge  public  buildings  and  grounds,  5, 14, 

187;  report  of,  as  to  park  needs,  10. 
Blagden,  Thomas,  12,  14. 
Blake,  Dr.  J.  B.,  commissioner  of  public  grounds,  conversations  with  on  Capitol 

grounds,  201. 
Blount,  Col.  Henry  F.,  7, 12,  24, 137. 

Blount,  Representative,  opposes  purchase  of  Rock  Creek  Park,  105. 
Boring,  William  A.,  chairman   committee  on   legislation,  American    Institute    of 

Architects,  67;  suggestions  of,  relative  to  park  system,  69;  recommends  Messrs. 

Burnham  and  Olmsted,  for  members  of  Commission,  68. 
Boston,  parks  of,  125. 

Botanic  Garden,  10,  79,202;  outgrowth  of  Wilkes's  exploring  expedition,  212. 
Boyce  tract,  10. 

Boynton,  Gen.  H.  V.,  Rock  Creek  Park  commissioner,  102, 106. 
Bramhall,  Col.  M.  L.,  7,13. 
Bridges,  Connecticut  avenue,  84;   Massachusetts  avenue,  84;  memorial  bridge,  84; 

Aqueduct  Bridge,  85;  Long  Bridge,  85. 
Brightwood,  8. 
Bristol,  Rev.  Dr.,  154. 
Britton,  A.  T.,  102. 

Brooklyn,  riverside  tenements  of,  37;  cost  of  parks  in,  110;  parks  of,  125. 
Brown,  A.  B.,  103. 
Brown,  Senator  B.  Gratz,  100, 119. 
Brown,  Glenn,  secretary  American  Institute  of  Architects,  67;  his  history  of  the 

Capitol  quoted,  194,  228;  paper  on  the  making  of  a  plan  for  Washington  City,  189; 

paper  on  eighteenth  and  twentieth  century  plans  far  Washington  City,  223. 
Brown,  Henry  K.,  his  statue  of  Washington,  144;  sculptor  of  Scott  and  Greene 

statues,  149. 
Brown,  Plenry  K.  Bush,  sculptor  of  Sherman  statue,  153. 
Brown,  S.  T.,  7,199. 

Buchanan,  President  James,  at  inauguration  of  Washington  statue,  146. 
Budapest,  6. 

Bundy,  Judge  Charles  S.,  7, 12,13,34.  ■ 

Burchell,  Norval  W.,  103, 107. 
Bureau  of  Engraving  and  Printing,  82. 
Bureau  of  Standards,  91. 

Burnham,  Daniel  H.,  president  Park  Commission,  38,167,223;  paper  on  the  Com- 
mercial Value  of  Beauty,  175, 235. 
Butler,  Rev.  Dr.,  144. 

C. 

Cannon,  Representative  Joseph  G.,  favors  purchase  of  Rock  Creek  Park,  104. 

Capitol,  The,  burned  in  1814,  203;  situation  of,  158. 

Capitol  grounds,  control  of,  79;    enlarged,  204;    planted  by  Maher,  204;    present 

design  of,  206;  paper  relating  to  trees,  shrubs,  and  plants  in,  201;  index  to  trees  of, 

210;  list  of  trees  and  shrubs  in,  218. 
Carlisle,  Calderon,  102. 

Casey,  Gen.  Thomas  L.,  Rock  Creek  Park  commissioner,  106. 
Centennial  avenue,  editorials  from  the  Star  on,  179. 
Chaney,  John  C,  12. 


PAKK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  277 

Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal,  86. 

Chicago  Exposition,  238. 

Church,  C.  B.,  103. 

Citizens'  Relief  Association,  statement  of,  relative  to  need  of  additional  jjarks,  35. 

Clagett,  William  H.,  103. 

Cleveland,  President  Grover,  152. 

Clifton,  10.  ,  ■  . 

Class,  Adolf,  199. 

Columbus  Memorial  Park,  name  suggested  for  Rock  Creek  Park,  105. 

Continental  Congress  votes  equestrian  statue  of  Washington,  147. 

Columbia  avenue,  9. 

Columbia  Heights,  5. 

Columbia  Heights  Citizens'  Association,  statement  of,  in  regard  to  playgrounds,  31. 

Columbia  Historical  Society,  141, 189. 

Cooke,  H.  D.,  199. 

Coombe,  George,  describes  Washington  as  a  straggling  village  reared  in  a  drained 

swamp,  203. 
Copeland,  Arthur,  12.  - 

Corcoran,  W.  W.,  101.  '  ' 

Corcoran  Gallery  of  Art,  229. 
Coville,  F.  v.,  botanist  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture,  16;  letter  of,  relative  to 

arboretum,  25. 
Cox,  William  Y.,  7,  12,  114;  history  of  Fort  Stevens,  41;  notes  by,  on  establishment 

of  a  national  park,  99. 
Crane,  John  H.,  103. 
Cranford,  Joseph  H.,  7. 

D. 
Daniels  road,  8. 
Davis,  Lewis  J.,  103. 
Day,  Frank  Miles,  67,  78. 
Dayton,  Ohio,  improvement  of,  38. 
Dent,  Josiah,  101-103. 
Depew,  Senator  Chauncey  M.,  154. 
Do  well,  Julian  C,  7-12. 
Downing,  landscape  architect,  proposed  plan  for  improvement  of  the  Mall,  25,  213, 

214. 
Douglas,  Hon.  Stephen  A.,  144. 
Dublin,  parks  of,  117. 

E. 

Early,  Gen.  Jubal,  at  Fort  Stevens,  12,  21. 

Eckington,  5. 

Edson,  John  Joy,  president  \\^ashington   Board   of    Trade,  report   of,  as   to   park 

improvements,  11,  21, 103. 
Emory,  M.G.,  43,199. 
Kliot,  President  Charles  W.,  of  Harvard  University,  paper  of,  on  the  utilization  of 

public  reservations,  247. 
EUicott,  Henry  J.,  sculptor  of  Hancock  statue,  152-159. 
Equestrian  statues  in  Moscow,  141. 
Estates,  lack  of  large  private,  254. 
Europe,  outdoor  life  in,  248. 
Evans,  E.  B.,  12. 
Evening  Star,  communication  to,  relative  to  arboretum,  27,  111;  editorials  as  to 

improvement  of  Rock  Creek  Park,  9;  editorials  relative  to  Centennial  avenue,  179. 
Exhibition  buildings  for  animals,  263. 


278  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

F. 

Fardon,  Dr.  A.  P.,  103. 

First  Ohio  Battery,  21. 

Fish  Commission,  building  of,  82. 

Fitch,  James  E.,  103. 

Federal  City,  Washington  so  called  by  President  Washington,  202. 

Fendall,  Reginald,  103. 

Flower  picking  in  parks,  252. 

Forts,  De  Russy,  20;  Massachusetts,  41;  Reno,  20;  Totten,  20,  21. 

Fort  Stevens,  10-12-21;  bibliography  of,  58;  bill  for  the  purchase  of,  17-20;  forces 

engaged  at,  55;  history  of,  41;  Lincoln  National  Park  Association,  59;  loss  at,  57; 

maps  of,    60,61,62;  named   for  Brig.  Gen.  Isaac   Ingalls   Stevens,  42;   opposing 

forces  at,  56. 
Fort  Drive,  6,  92. 
Fox,  E.  W.,  103. 

Foy,  John,  in  charge  of  Capitol  grounds,  203. 
Franklin  Square,  32. 
Eraser,  Daniel,  7. 

Frederick  the  Great,  statue  of,  in  Berlin,  147. 
French,  Daniel  Chester,  his  Washington  statue  in  Paris,  154. 

G. 

Gallinger,  Senator  J.  IT.,  34,  67. 

Garfield  Park,  96. 

Garnett,  Henry  Wise,  102. 

Gatchel,  J.  Fred.,  12. 

Genesee  street,  15. 

George  III,  of  England,  equestrian  statue  of,  142. 

Georgetown,  citizens'  meeting  relative  to  Rock  Creek,  104;  park  needs  of,  9, 11,  13. 

Georgetown  harbor,  260. 

Germany,  bathing  facilities  in,  36. 

Gibbs,  Benjamin  F.,  34.  • 

Gilbert,  B.  F.,  103. 

Given,  John  T.,  103. 

Glover,  C.  C,  13;  starts  movement  to  acquire  Rock  Creek  Park,  102. 

Goode,  George  Brown,  108,  174. 

Government  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  94. 

Grant,  Gen.  U.  S.,  memorial  to,  96,  154;  relics  of,  172. 

Great  Falls  of  the  Potomac,  165. 

Green,  E.  B.,  67,  72. 

Green,  0.  C,  103. 

Greene,  Maj.  Gen.  Nathaniel,  statue  of,  148. 

Grout,  Representative,  105. 

H. 

Hallet,  159.  . 

Hancock,  General,  statue  of,  152. 

Hanna,  Senator  Marcus  A.,  at  Fort  Stevens,  43. 

Harban,  J.  H.,  12. 

Harewood,   118. 

Hatton,  Frank,  103. 

Hausseman,  Baron,  commercial  value  of  his  work  in  Paris,  176. 

Hayes,  President  Rutherford  B.,  152. 

Heard,  Representative,  favors  purchase  of  Rock  Creek  Park,  105. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  279 

Hemphill,  Representative  John  W.,  Ill;  favors  purchase  of  Rock  Creek  Park,  105; 

report  of,  on  a  public  park  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  127. 
Hendricks,  Senator  Thomas  A.,  report  of,  as  to  national  park,  99. 
Heurich,  Christian,  7. 

Highway-extension  plans  provide  for  additional  parks,  31. 
Hill,  James  G.,  67. 

Hill,  William  Corcoran,  103.  .  -  ■ 

Hoban,  James,  160. 

Hooker,  Representative,  favors  purchase  of  Rock  Creek  Park,  105. 
Hornblower,  J.  C,  67. 

Horses  should  be  provided  for  in  parks,  253. 
Houdon,  his  head  of  Washington,  147. 
Howard  University  Park,  95. 
Hoxie,  Captain,  report  of,  on  Rock  Creek,  101. 
Husted,  Gilbert  M.,  34. 
Hutchins,  Stilson,  103. 
Hyde,  Elizabeth  A.,  34.  ' 

1. 

Illinois  avenue,  15. 

Ingalls,  Senator  John  J.,  102-104, 112. 

J. 

Jackson,  President  Andrew,  originates  idea  of  memorial  bridge,  84;  equestrian  statue 

of,  144;  anecdote  of,  204. 
Jacobsen,  Charles,  7-12. 
Jail,  94. 

James  Creek  Canal,  36. 

Jefferson,  President  Thomas,  his  connection  with  plan  of  Washington,  191. 
Johnson,  Esau  L.,  12. 
Johnson,  J.  Harrison,  7. 
Johnson,  J.  M.,  102. 

Joint  Committee  on  the  Library  control  Botanical  Gardens,  79. 
Jones,  T.  D. ,  sculptor,  fails  to  carry  out  contract  for  McPherson  statue,  150.  ' 
Judson  heirs,  13. 
Justice,  Department  of,  73. 

K. 

Kauffmann,  S.  H.,  paper  by,  on  equestrian  statuary,  102. 

Kerr,  Representative,  opposes  purchase  of  Rock  Creek  Park,  105. 

Kilbourn,  Hallett,  103. 

Kitson,  Henry,  sculptor  of  Sherman  statue,  154. 

Klingle  Ford  Bridge,  7. 

Kober,  Dr.  George  M.,  34. 

Lancaster,  C.  C,  12. 

Langley,  Dr.  S.  P.,  102, 103;  Rock  Creek  Park  commissioner,  106;  on  the  needs  of 
the  Zoological  Park,  168. 

Lamer,  Noble  D.,  103. 

Lee,  J.  William,  12. 

Leipzig,  war  monument  in,  144. 

Lemon,  George  E.,  103. 

L' Enfant,  Maj.  Peter  Charles,  158,179,202,225;  his  map  of  Washington,  223;  sub- 
mits draft  of  plan  of  city  to  Washington,  190. 


280  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Le  Notre,  landscape  architect,  192. 

Lincoln,  President  Abraham,  10, 12, 15;  at  battle  at  Fort  Stevens,  53. 

Linton,  Irwin  B.,  39. 

Literary  Society  of  Washington,  paper  read  before,  237. 

Little  Falls  of  the  Potomac,  165. 

Liverpool,  parks  of,  117. 

Lofton,  AVilliamS.,  12. 

Logan,  Gen.  John  A.,  151;  statue  of,  154. 

London,  6,  35;  parks  of,  125;  plan  of,  248;  Sir  Christopher  Wren's  plan  for,  212,  214. 

Long  Bridge,  6,  83. 

Looker,  Capt.  Henry  B.,  surveyor  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  7,  12, 13;  letter  of,  on 

connection  between  Zoological  and  Rock  Creek  parks,  137. 
Loring,  Dr.,  103. 
Lung,  F.  J.,  40. 

M. 

McClellan,  Gen.  George  B.,  statue  of,  154. 

McKinley,  President  William,  154. 

McLean,  Washington,  102. 

McKim,  Charles  F.,  member  Park  Commission,  38, 167,  223. 

McMillan,  Senator  James,  13, 14,  21,  23,  34,  67,  91, 114,  228;  outlines  park  problem  to 
legislative  committee  of  the  American  Institute  of  Architects,  67. 

McPherson,  General,  statue  of,  150. 

Macfarland,  Hon.  Henry  B.  F.,  president  Board  of  Commissioners,  District  of 
Columbia,  167.  .     ■: 

Madison,  President  James,  228. 

Magruder,  James  A.,  199. 

Maher,  James,  Capitol  grounds  enlarged  under  charge  of,  204. 

Mall,  the,  5;  api^ropriations  for,  11;  as  garden  approach  to  Capitol,  192;  as  a  connec- 
tion between  the  White  House  and  Capitol,  179;  character  of  plans  for,  181; 
Downing  plan  for  improvement  of,  25;  extensions  of,  80;  occupation  by  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  Company,  81;  plan  of  development  for,  11;  planned  during  Admin- 
istration of  John  Adams,  212. 

Mallery,  Allen  W.,  7-12. 

Manuel,  S.  A.,  12.  ■  .    :  .'     : 

Maria  Theresa,  statue  of,  in  Vienna,  147. 

INIarine  Barracks,  94. 

Martin,  Senator  Thomas  S. ,  34.  -         •  •    ■ 

Matthews,  Senator  Stanley,  152. 

Meigs,  General,  43,  100. 

Memorial  bridge,  6;  competition  for  designs  of,  85. 

"Men  on  Horseback,"  paper  by  S.  H.  Kauffmann,  141. 

Meridian  Hill,  118.  •    " 

Messer,  Clarence  E.,  paper  Ijy,  237. 

Metropolis  View,  118. 

Michler,  Maj.  N.,  report  of,  on  Rock  Creek  region,  100;  report  of,  on  Rock  Creek 
Park,  114. 

Military  road,  8. 

Mills,  Clark,  sculptor,  144;  his  statue  of  Washington,  146. 

Mirick,  H.  D.,  12. 

Misfit  subdivisions,  10-12. 

Monument  grounds,  82. 

Moore,  Charles,  5, 14,  21,  39,  73,  97, 167,  259. 

Moore,  F.L.,  12,13. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  281 

Moore,  Representative,  favors  purchase  of  Rock  Creek  Park,  105. 

Moral  benefit  of  parks,  257. 

Morris,  M.  F.,  103. 

^Moscow,  equestrian  statues  in,  141. 

Mount  Vernon  boulevard,  6,  96. 

Mount  Vernon  Square,  32. 

Munich,  parks  of,  117. 

Nash,  Governor  George  K.,  of  Ohio,  at  Fort  Stevens,  43. 

National  Arts  Club  of  New  York,  paper  read  before,  223. 

National  Museum,  82;  new  building  for,  172. 

National  Sculpture  Society,  recommendations  of,  as  to  Sherman  statue,  153. 

Naval  Hospital,  94. 

Naval  Observatory,  old,  86. 

Navy-yard,  94. 

Newton,  A.  P.,  12. 

New  York  City,  appellate  court,  237;  Central  Park,  expense  of,  117;  cost  of  parks 
in,  110;  parks  of,  125. 

Nordhoff,  Charles,  103. 

Normanstone,  10. 

Norris,  James  L.,  107. 

North  Capitol  and  Eckington  Citizens'  Association,  statement  of,  as  to  need  of  addi- 
tional parks,  39. 

Noyes,  Crosby  S.,  102. 

Noyes,  Theodore  A.,  president  board  of  trade,  remarks  of,  as  to  the  park  system  of 
the  District  of  Columbia,  5,  12,  21,  103. 

O. 

O'Brien,  Dr.  Emilie  Young,  34. 

Olmsted,  Frederick  Law,  lays  out  Capitol  grounds,  79;  paper  by,  relating  to  trees, 

shrubs,  and  i)lants  in  Capitol  grounds,  211. 
Olmsted,  Frederick  Law,  jr.,  member  Park  Commission,  38,67,  69,  95,  223;  remarks 

of,  on  plan  of  Zoological  Park,  170;  statement  of,  relative  to  park  pi-oblem,  75; 

notes  on  the  Antwerp  quay  and  the  exhibition  of  animals  in  zoological  parks,  259. 
Olmsted,  Olmsted  and  Eliot,  their  work  on  the  Zoological  Park,  169. 
Ord,  Judge,  offers  to  donate  land  in  valley  of  Rock  Creek,  101. 
Outdoor  life  in  Europe,  248. 

P. 

Palmer,  Senator  John  M.,  153. 

Paris,  6-35;  changes  in  plan  of,  189,  223;  commercial  value  of  the  work  of  Louis 
Napoleon  and  Baron  Haus?emann  in,  176;  parks  of,  117. 

Park  Commission,  194,223,229;  criticism  of,  plans  of,  by  Clarence  E.  Messer,  237; 
plans  described,  229. 

Park  system  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  comments  on  the  parks  and  their  connec- 
tions, 14,  31,  32,  67,  79,  97,  183. 

Parks,  small,  use  of,  by  people,  247. 

Park  life,  requisites  of,  249. 

Parker,  Col.  iM.  M.,  103. 

Parsons,  J.  L.,  7-12. 

Paul,  Joseph,  103. 

Paxton,  Rev.  Dr.  John  L.,  151. 

Payne,  John  Howard,  108. 


282  PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

Payson,  Representative,  opposes  purchase  of  Rock  Creek  Park,  105. 

Peabody,  Robert  S.,  president  American  Institute  of  Architects,  67,  70,  78. 

Pennsylvania  avenue,  area  south  of,  11,  14,  80,  94;  valuation  of  squares  south  of,  80. 

Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company,  occupation  of  Mall  by,  81. 

Perry,  R.  Ross,  103;  Rock  Creek  Park  commissioner,  106. 

Philadelphia  centennial,  238. 

Philadelphia,  cost  of  parks  in,  108;  parks  of,  125. 

Philip  IV,  of  Spain,  statue  of,  at  Madrid,  146. 

Pierce  Mill,  8. 

Piney  Branch,  9. 

Playgrounds,  6-36. 

Poland,  Senator  Luke  P.,  offers  resolution  as  to  National  Park,  99. 

Post,  Geo.  B.,  63,73-74. 

Potomac  Park,  5,  83. 

Potomac  quay,  260. 

Potomac  River  drive,  94. 

Potomac  River  front,  84. 

Powell,  Major,  Engineer  Commissioner  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  16-21. 

President's  house,  99, 160;  report  of  Major  Michler  as  to  site  for,  117. 

Proctor,  Senator  Redfield,  bill  of,  to  establish  a  national  military  park,  17. 

Public  comfort  stations,  36. 

Public  school  parks,  36. 

Public  reservations,  utilization  of,  247. 

E. 

Randle,  A.  E.,  12. 

Read,  Albert  M.,  12-16;  letter  of,  relative  to  establishment  of  arboretum,  23-26,  27. 

Rebisso,  Louis  T.,  sculptor  of  McPherson  statue,  150. 

Restaurants,  value  of,  in  parks,  251. 

Reyburn,  Dr.  Robert,  103. 

Richards,  W.  P.,  21,111. 

Richardson,  F.  A.,  103. 

Robert,  Col.  H.  M.,  Rock  Creek  Park  commissioner,  106. 

Robinson,  Moncure,  homestead  of,  119. 

Rock  Creek,  6-7;  pollution  of,  11,  86;  report  of  Maj.  N.  Michler  on,  100. 

Rock  Creek  drive,  113. 

Rock  Creek  Park,  acquisition  of,  7,  9,  11,  13,  14;  history  of,  99-140;  act  authorizing 
establishment  of,  126;  awards  reported  to  the  court  by  the  appraising  commission, 
129;  connection  with  Potomac  Park,  137;  establishment  of,  87;  Hemphill,  report 
on,  123;  improvement  of,  108;  map  of,  112;  roads  condemned,  132;  supreme  court 
of  the  District  of  Columbia  sustains  action  of  Commission  in  regard  to  awards,  132; 
House  defeats  bill  for  purchase  of,  105;  work  of  the  Commission,  133. 

Rockwell,  Col.  A.  F.,  commissioner  of  buildings,  213. 

Rome,  bathing  facilities  in,  36. 

Rowell,  Representative,  report  of,  on  Rock  Creek,  101. 

Rutherford,  R.  G.,  7-12-13. 

S. 

St.  Elizabeth's  {see  also  Government  Hospital  for  the  Insane),  16. 
St.  Gaudens,  Augustus,  member  Park  Commission,  38, 167, 223. 
St.  Petersburg,  plan  of,  189,  224. 
Sands,  F.  P.  B.,  103. 
Satterlee,  Bishop,  152. 


PAEK   SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA.  283 

8aul,  John,  214. 

Saunders,  William,  establishes  arboretum,  25,  212-214. 

School  children  and  parks,  255. 

Scott,  Gen.  Winfield,  statue  of,  148. 

Senate  Committee  on  the  District  of  Columbia,  229. 

Seufferle,  G.  J.,  107. 

Sewall,  Rev.  Frank,  D.  D.,  paper  by,  242. 

Shepherd,  Alex.  R.,  199. 

Shepley,  G.  F.,  67. 

Sherman,  Senator  John,  104. 

Sherman,  Gen.  William  T.,  151;  statue  of,  153;  statue  of,  a  child  of  misfortune,  153. 

Shoemaker,  Louis  P.,  40. 

Simons,  Franklin,  sculptor  of  Peace  Monument,  154. 

Smith,  Carl  Rohl,  sculptor  of  Sherman  statue,  153. 

Smith,  F.  Hopkinson,  quoted,  272. 

Smith,  Mrs.  Rosa  Wright,  15. 

Smith,  William  R.,  superintendent  Botanic  Gardens,  103,203,214. 

Smithsonian  Institution,  82. 

Smithsonian  Park,  213,  214. 

Soldiers'  Home,  6;  connection  of,  with  Rock  Creek  Park,  92. 

Somerville,  Thomas,  103. 

Speedway,  6. 

Spinola,  General,  opposes  bill  for  Rock  Creek  Park,  105. 

Stephenson,  W.  J.,  103. 

Stevens,  Brig.  Gen.  Isaac  Ingalls,  gives  name  to  Fort  Stevens,  42;  life  of,  by  Gen. 

Hazard  Stevens,  42. 
Stevens,  Dr.  George  T. ,  report  of  battle  at  Fort  Stevens,  49. 
Stone,  Dr.  C.  G.,  109. 
Strong,  Justice  William,  101. 
Sunlight,  England,  improvement  of,  38. 
Switzer,  Col.  W.  F.,  103. 
Symons,  Capt.  T.  W.,  102. 

T. 

Takoma  Park  Citizens'  Association,  statement  of,  as  to  need  of  additional  parks,  40. 

Thomas,  Elizabeth,  known  as  Aunt  Betty,  spoken  to  by  President  Lincoln,  42. 

Thomas,  Frank  H.,  7, 12. 

Thomas,  Maj.  Gen.  George  IL,  statue  of,  151. 

Thompson,  J.  Q.,  103. 

Thompson,  J.  W.,  13. 

Thompson,  W.  S.,  103. 

Thoron,  Ward,  7, 12. 

Totten,  George  O.,  12.  ' 

Tracey,  E.  D.,  111. 

Trees,  naming  of,  16,  24,  29. 

Truesdell,  Col.  George,  103. 

Trumbull,  his  portrait  of  Washington,  147. 

TJ. 

Union  Veterans'   Union,  15;  interest  of,  in  Fort  Stevens,  12;  petition  Congress  to 

purchase  Fort  Stevens,  15. 
United  States  Senate,  bill  for  the  establishment  of  a  public  park  in  the  District  of 

Columbia,  120. 
U  street  park,  13, 15. 


284  PARK    SYSTEM    OF   THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMBIA. 

V. 

Versailles,  192. 

Vienna,  6;  parks  of,  117. 

V^incent,  Gen.  Thomas  M.,  president  Fort  Stevens  Park  Association,  21. 

W. 

Wade,  Senator  Benjamin  F. ,  offers  resolution  relative  to  national  park,  99. 

Waggaman,  H.  P.,  11,13. 

Waggaman,  Thomas  E.,  11, 13. 

Walker,  Duncan  S.,  103. 

Walker,  Gen.  Francis  A.,  43.  - 

Ward,  J.  Q.  A.,  sculptor  of  Thomas  statue,  152. 

Ward,  Dr.  Lester  F.,  his  guide  to  flora  of  Washington,  217. 

Warner,  B.  H.,  103. 

Washington,  President  George,  17,  224;  avoids  calling  capital  city  by  his  own  name, 
202;  his  connection  with  L' Enfant,  190;  house  built  by,  202;  plants  trees  on  the 
east  of  the  Capitol,  203;  relics  of,  174;  statue  of,  by  Clark  Mills,  146;  statue  of,  in 
NeAV  York,  144. 

Washington,  Martha,  148. 

Washington,  advantages  of,  for  study  of  trees,  201;  boldness  of  plan  of,  192;  bounda- 
ries of,  79;  defenders  of,  54;  defenses  of,  at  time  of  Early's  raid,  44;  defenseless 
condition  of,  in  1861,  41;  eighteenth  and  twentieth  century  plans  for,  223;  embel- 
lishment of,  paper  by  Clarence  E.  Messer,  237,  267;  equestrian  statues  in,  141; 
essay  on  the  city  of,  reprinted  from  Washington  Gazette,  157;  flora  of,  217;  original 
map  of,  189;  plan  of,  original,  192;  the  making  of  a  plan  for,  189;  reservations  in, 
79;  street  trees  in,  214;  summer  climate  unfavorable  to  turf,  207;  water  effects  in, 
192;  moral  and  economic  results  of  embellishment  of,  273. 

Washington  elm  on  Capitol  grounds,  201,  203,  204. 

Washington  Board  of  Trade,  resolution  of,  relative  to  improvement  of  Rock  Creek 
Park,  5,  7,  8,  12,  14,  17;  resolution  of,  as  to  arboretum,  27. 

Washington  Civic  Center,  statement  of,  as  to  need  of  additional  parks,  34. 

Washington  Gazette,  essay  on  the  city  of  Washington,  157. 

Washington  Market  Company,  abstract  of  laws  and  ordinances  relative  to,  197-199. 

Washington  Monument,  action  of  Congress  relative  to,  in  1799,  148. 

Washington  Statue  Association,  155. 

W^ebb,  H.  Randall,  7. 

Webb,  W.  B.,  president  Board  of  Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  122. 

Webster,  Daniel,  urges  memorial  bridge,  84. 

Welling,  Dr.  J.  C,  103. 

Weller,  Charles  F.,  general  secretary  Associated  Charities,  38. 

Weller,  M.  L,  103. 

Wheaton,  (len.  Frank,  report  of  battle  at  Fort  Stevens,  49. 

Wight,  Hon.  John  B. ,  president  Board  of  Commissioners  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  13. 

Wilbur,  H.  0.,  12. 

Wilkins,  Hon.  Beriah,  103. 

Wilkins,  Frank  G.,  12.  "  .  :        " 

Wilkes's  exploring  expedition,  212. 

Williamsburg,  A^a.,  plan  of,  193. 

AVilson,  Brig.  Gen.  John  M.,  Chief  of  Engineers  United  States  Army,  8, 14, 16, 103, 150. 

Wilson,  Hon.  James,  Secretary  of  Agriculture,  16-25;  report  of,  as  to  arboretum,  25. 

Wilson,  S.  E.  N.,  103. 

Wimer,  James  B.,  7-12. 

Wine,  L.  D.,  103. 


PARK    SYSTEM    OF    THE    DISTRICT    OF    COLUMRIA.  285 

Wine,  M.  J.,  40. 
Winter  parks,  252. 

Wolcott,  Oliver,  description  of  Capitol  grounds,  202. 
Wood,  Court  F.,  12. 
Woodley  Park,  11. 

Woodley  road,  entrance  to  Zoological  Park,  13. 
Woodward,  S.W.,  103. 
Workhouse,  94. 

Wren,  Sir  Christopher,  his  plan  for  London,  190,  224. 
Wright,  General,  100. 

Wright,  Hon.  Carroll  D.,  United  States  Commissioner  of  Labor,  paper  on  the  embel- 
lishment of  Washington,  267. 

X. 

Yellow  Tavern,  203. 
Young,  C.  F.,  12. 

i  z. 

Zoological  garden  at  Hamburg,  best  in  Europe,  262. 

Zoological  Park,  6;  act  for  the  establishment  of,  86,  102,  122;  cost  of  maintenance 

of,  168;  needs  of,  168. 
Zoological  parks,  exhibition  of  animals  in,  259. 

o 


